This 57-mile drive from Kirkland, WA to Wauna, WA takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. With 93% of the route on major highways like I-5, I-405, and WA-16, it’s an efficient trip that’s perfectly suited for a single day. The estimated fuel cost is around $12, making it an economical option for a quick excursion. This route is a great choice if you're looking for a direct connection within the Pacific Coast region, offering a practical way to cover ground without significant detours. Given its short duration and minimal stops, you'll likely arrive at your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 57 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 57-mile trip, with 93% of your time spent on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 21.6 miles on I-5, offering a chance to settle into a consistent pace. The route largely utilizes the interstate system, including I-405 and WA-16, which means generally smooth travel and higher speeds. While not a scenic tour, this highway-focused profile ensures an efficient and predictable drive. You'll primarily be navigating the well-maintained infrastructure of Washington state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 21.6 miles.
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.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57 miles you will encounter 15 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 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
8
41.2 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
41.8 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
6
54.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key Center
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kirkland, WA to Wauna, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Bremerton
41.2 mi in|~54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
21.6 mi
27m
I 405
17.8 mi
22m
WA 16
12.5 mi
15m
State Route 302
0.9 mi
1m
Purdy Drive Northwest
0.8 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 21.6 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Wauna, 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: RentonUse 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: PortlandUse 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
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 16
13 mi·15 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto WA 302
0.8 mi·1 min·Purdy Drive Northwest
17
Turn left onto WA 302
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 302
18
Turn left
67 ft·5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.5 mi from Kirkland, WA
· 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 28.5 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wauna, WA
The final approach into Wauna, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.93 one way
$23.86 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$12.51
$25.02
premium
$5.77
$12.94
$25.89
diesel
$5.61
$12.58
$25.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.1
0
$5.98
$2.74
Efficient EV
14.3
0
$4.99
$2.28
EV Truck/SUV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening
in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
8:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
SSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Wauna, WA
Evening
in Wauna on Friday
Local time
8:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 15m 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 Wauna, WA covers 57 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, WA 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.5 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 $11.93 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 57 miles you will encounter 15 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 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Kirkland, WA to Wauna, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
