Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
69 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: Spencer Lee Eiseman
The drive from Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 69 miles and takes about 1h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, I 405, Northeast 85th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.9 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
34.5 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
This is a 1h 30m highway drive covering 69 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and I 405. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.9 miles on I 5.
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 28.6 miles in near I 5.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 69 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 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 47.9 mi | 59m |
| I 405 | 17.4 mi | 21m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Union Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Plum Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Kirkland, WA.
Start on Capitol Way South
Turn right onto Union Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Plum Street Southeast
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Turn right onto 1st Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 44m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirkland, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA
This is one driving day of about 69 miles and 1h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Olympia, WA · 44m 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.
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Olympia, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.48 one way
$28.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $15.12 | $30.25 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.68 | $31.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.33 | $30.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 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 | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Olympia on Saturday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
38°F
Kent, WA
35 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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