Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Olympia, WA
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
69.2 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
Connecting Kirkland to Olympia is a straightforward 69.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Since this is a quick trip within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will rely primarily on I-405 and I-5 to navigate through the corridor, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Washington hubs. With an estimated fuel cost of only $15, the route is as budget-friendly as it is convenient. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay for this manageable distance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.6 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed, interstate-focused experience, as 95% of your travel time is spent on major highways. The personality of this drive is dictated by the flow of traffic on I-5, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 48.3 miles. You will start on I-405 before merging onto the main arterial, eventually transitioning onto 7th Avenue as you reach your destination. Because this is a highway-heavy route, you should prepare for a consistent, functional drive rather than a winding backroads adventure. The road remains fast-paced and efficient, prioritizing speed and direct navigation over recreational driving conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 48.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
455 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
1,143 ft
Total Descent
1,206 ft
Highest Point
455 ft
~28.8 mi in
Elevation Range
436 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 69.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese 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
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
7th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
7th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 48.3 mi | 1h |
| I 405 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 14th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Way South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 48.3 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Olympia, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
28 mi
·
34 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward State Capitol, Olympia City Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Port of Olympia
14
Turn straight onto 14th Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
14th Avenue Southeast
15
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
14th Avenue Southeast
16
Continue on 14th Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
14th Avenue Southeast
17
Turn right onto Capitol Way South
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Capitol Way South
18
Arrive at destination
Capitol Way South
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 1-hour and 30-minute commute, try to plan your departure around local peak traffic hours, as highway congestion can significantly impact your travel time on I-5. Since there are no mandatory stops required for this 69.2-mile distance, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or break up the journey based on your own schedule. Keep that $15 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is ready for the high-speed stretches. A pro tip for this route: keep a close eye on real-time traffic updates for the I-405 and I-5 interchange, as this is where you are most likely to encounter delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.6 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.3 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 69.2 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.6 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olympia, 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 69.2 miles and 1h 30m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 48.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.6 mi from Kirkland, WA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.6 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Olympia, WA
The final approach into Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.52 one way
$29.05 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $15.17 | $30.33 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.72 | $31.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.37 | $30.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.27 | $3.32 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Olympia, WA
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 2 mph
10% chance
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Olympia, WA covers 69.2 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, 7th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.6 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 $14.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 69.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Kirkland, WA to Olympia, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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