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Trip from Kirkland, WA to Mount Vista, WA

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

168.4 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

9 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 10m ★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Kirkland, WA, WA

Kirkland, WA

Spencer Lee Eiseman

Downtown Mount Vista, WA, WA

Mount Vista, WA

JOHN CALLERY

Trip Overview

Spanning 168.4 miles, this trip from Kirkland to Mount Vista is a straightforward journey typically taking 3 hours and 21 minutes. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $35 on fuel for the trek. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, moving through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. It is a highly practical route for travelers prioritizing efficiency over leisurely backroads. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the trip offers a predictable pace that fits well within a standard day of travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 97% of your time on the road is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate using I-405 and I-5, with the latter hosting your longest uninterrupted stretch of 144.7 miles. The drive is designed for consistency rather than technical maneuvering, keeping you on heavy-duty infrastructure for nearly the entire duration. Transitioning onto Northeast 179th Street provides the final local connection as you reach your destination. While the experience is primarily an interstate grind, the straightforward nature of the roads allows you to maintain a steady rhythm behind the wheel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 144.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 7th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
19.3 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
39.9 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
164.3 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward Northeast 179th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 9 Toward Northeast 179th Street
6
164.6 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | Northeast 179th Street

Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 144.7 mi 2h 45m
I 405 17.8 mi 22m
Northeast 179th Street 2.1 mi 4m
Northeast 50th Avenue 1 mi 1m
Northeast 159th Street 0.6 mi 2m
7th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Northeast 85th Street 0.5 mi 1m
6th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 144.7 mi, about 2h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Mount Vista, WA.

1

Start on 1st Street

399 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street
2

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 7th Avenue
3

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.3 mi · 52 sec · 7th Avenue
4

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · 7th Avenue
5

Turn right onto 6th Street

449 ft · 14 sec · 6th Street
6

Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 405

18 mi · 22 min · I 405
Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 5

20 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

124 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 5
Use the none lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 9 Toward Northeast 179th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street

2.1 mi · 4 min · Northeast 179th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14

Turn right onto Northeast 50th Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast 50th Avenue
15

Turn right onto Northeast 159th Street

0.6 mi · 2 min · Northeast 159th Street
16

Turn left onto Northeast Sam Smith Drive

257 ft · 8 sec · Northeast Sam Smith Drive
17

Arrive at destination

Northeast Sam Smith Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of this drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3-hour and 21-minute duration. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on I-5, keep a close eye on traffic reports, as highway congestion can significantly impact your arrival time. Leaving early in the morning or mid-day is your best bet for avoiding the heaviest commuter windows. Because the route is so highway-dependent, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the main interstate arteries to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the flexibility of this 168.4-mile trip, you have plenty of room to adjust your schedule based on the day's traffic flow.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.2 miles or 1h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vista, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kirkland, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kirkland, WA

This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kirkland, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 144.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.2 mi from Kirkland, WA · 1h 42m into the drive

Downtown Centralia, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centralia, WA

84 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Centralia, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.7 miles.

Arriving in Mount Vista, WA

The final approach into Mount Vista, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mount Vista, WA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 5.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.34 one way

$70.69 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $36.91 $73.82
premium $5.77 $38.26 $76.52
diesel $5.64 $37.41 $74.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Fred Meyer - Tesla Supercharger

Kirkland, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Pierre Ford of Seattle – Parts and Service

Seattle, WA

Blink Network

6 DCFC

Fred Meyer 179 (Seattle, WA)

Seattle, WA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

QFC 807 (Seattle, WA)

Seattle, WA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Ford of Kirkland

Kirkland, WA

Blink Network

4 DCFC

QFC 828 (Kirkland, WA)

Kirkland, WA

Electrify America

3 DCFC

RAG - Alfa Romeo Kirkland

Kirkland, WA

Blink Network

2 DCFC

Volkswagen of Kirkland

Kirkland, WA

Non-Networked

2 DCFC

Electrify America: 3 Blink Network: 3 ChargePoint Network: 1 Tesla: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.5 0 $17.68 $8.08
Efficient EV 42.1 0 $14.74 $6.74
EV Truck/SUV 67.4 0 $23.58 $10.78

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Kirkland, WA

Night in Kirkland on Sunday

Local time

9:00 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Vista, WA

Night in Mount Vista on Sunday

Local time

9:00 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 21m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kirkland, WA to Mount Vista, WA covers 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, Northeast 179th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kirkland, WA to Mount Vista, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Mount Vista, WA to Kirkland, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

167.9 mi 3h 21m

Continue From Mount Vista, WA

Pasco, WA 225.6 mi · 3h 43m Seattle, WA 160 mi · 3h 9m

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