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Trip from Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA

Drive Time

1h 30m

Distance

69 mi

111 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Olympia, WA, WA

Olympia, WA

Harrison Reilly

Downtown Kirkland, WA, WA

Kirkland, WA

Spencer Lee Eiseman

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Olympia to Kirkland, expect a straightforward 69-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on I-5 and I-405 to navigate the Pacific Coast region. Given the manageable distance and time, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the trip. Because you are staying within Washington, the transition between these two cities remains consistent in terms of regional climate and culture.

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 .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 47.9 miles while cruising along I-5. The experience is primarily an interstate commute, prioritizing speed and direct access over winding backroads. As you transition from the I-5 corridor onto I-405 and eventually Northeast 85th Street, the road environment shifts to accommodate higher-density traffic patterns. Prepare for a steady, high-speed pace that characterizes the main arteries connecting these two Washington hubs.

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 47.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

314 ft 88 ft

Total Climb

218 ft

Total Descent

226 ft

Highest Point

314 ft

~24.6 mi in

Elevation Range

226 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 28.6 miles in near I 5.

Route Complexity 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

6
28.6 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
49.3 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
49.4 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
67.2 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 18 Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
6
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | 6th Street

Turn right onto 6th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.

Bellevue

49.3 mi in | ~1h 3m

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 5 — 47.9 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Capitol Way South

396 ft · 12 sec · Capitol Way South
2

Turn right onto Union Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · Union Avenue Southeast
3

Turn right onto Plum Street Southeast

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Plum Street Southeast
4

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
5

Merge onto I 5

27 mi · 34 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

21 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the none lane.
7

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec
Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 405

17 mi · 21 min · I 405
Use the none lane.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 18 Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

182 ft · 6 sec
12

Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
13

Turn right onto 6th Street

449 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street
Use the none lane.
14

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · 7th Avenue
15

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.3 mi · 50 sec · 7th Avenue
16

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 18 sec · 7th Avenue
17

Turn right onto 1st Street

399 ft · 11 sec · 1st Street
18

Arrive at destination

1st Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 69-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak congestion. Because there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing extended breaks. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-5 and I-405 means you should monitor real-time traffic reports, as highway conditions can change quickly in this corridor. When planning your budget, setting aside $14 for fuel is a safe estimate, though keeping a little extra on hand for fluctuating gas prices is always a smart move. Focus on steady pacing through the longer I-5 segments to ensure a smooth transition into Kirkland.

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 34.5 miles from Olympia, WA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.9 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Olympia, 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 47.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Kent, WA

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

Bellevue, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Federal Way, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Olympia, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kirkland, WA

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.

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 ~18 min detour Free near mile 64.2
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.48 one way

$28.96 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
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.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Kingswood Drive - Tesla Supercharger

Tumwater, WA

Tesla

20 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Lacey, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Mullinax Ford of Olympia

Olympia, WA

SYNERGEV

6 DCFC

Fred Meyer 186 (Lacey, WA)

Lacey, WA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

ARCO, Hawks Prairie Rd NE, Lacey, WA

Lacey, WA

BP_PULSE

6 DCFC

Walmart 3531 (Lacey, WA)

Lacey, WA

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Tumwater Trading Post

Tumwater, WA

RED_E

4 DCFC

Cafaro TARGET PLACE PLAZA (OLYMPIA, WA)

Olympia, WA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 13 Electrify America: 4 Non-Networked: 2 Tesla: 2 RED_E: 1 SYNERGEV: 1 Blink Network: 1 EVCS: 1 7CHARGE: 1 EV Connect: 1 BP_PULSE: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Olympia, WA

Evening in Olympia on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

PDT

Current temp

61°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain

NW 2 to 9 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 12 at 1:40PM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:36PM PDT until April 13 at 5:30AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Destination

Kirkland, WA

Evening in Kirkland on Sunday

Local time

8:54 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°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

20 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

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 Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 69 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, Northeast 85th 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 34.5 miles from Olympia, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.48 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 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.
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.
On the drive from Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.

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Return Trip

Kirkland, WA to Olympia, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

69.2 mi 1h 30m

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