Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Kingsgate, WA
Drive Time
26m
Distance
16.5 mi
27 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Kingsgate, WA
Alexander F Ungerer
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Seattle and Kingsgate, this 16.5-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect to spend about 26 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient connection within the Pacific Coast region. The route primarily utilizes WA 520, I-405, and I-5 to link these two Washington locations. With fuel costs estimated at just $3, this is a very budget-friendly trip that requires no overnight stops. Because it is a short, straightforward drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-distance logistics.
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
8.2 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you navigate the transition between city infrastructure and suburban connections. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on WA 520, which spans 6.8 miles of the total distance. Rather than offering a leisurely winding experience, this route emphasizes utility and speed, keeping you on high-capacity roads for the duration of the journey. Prepare for a standard interstate experience where the focus is on efficient movement across the region.
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.
WA 520 is the longest continuous segment at about 6.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 520 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 16.5 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: near the start (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WA 520
Take the exit onto WA 520 toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
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 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
7
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Everett, Renton
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.
Toward I 405: Everett, Renton
8
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 124th Street, Totem Lake Boulevard
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 20B
Toward Northeast 124th Street, Totem Lake Boule...
8
15 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Totem Lake Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Totem Lake Boulevard
Towns Along This Route
Between Seattle, WA and Kingsgate, WA, road signs point toward Kirkland and Renton.
Kirkland
2.5 mi in
|
~4m
|
via WA 520
Renton
9.3 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 520 | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| I 405 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| I 5 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 121st Avenue Northeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 120th Avenue Northeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 132nd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 520
— 6.8 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Kingsgate, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft
·
11 sec
·
Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
4th Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto University Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
University Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 5 North
6
Merge onto I 5
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit onto WA 520
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
WA 520
Exit 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 405: Everett, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 405 North: Everett
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 405
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 405
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 405
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 20B
Toward Northeast 124th Street, Totem Lake Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Totem Lake Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on 120th Avenue Northeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
120th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto Northeast 132nd Street
522 ft
·
19 sec
·
Northeast 132nd Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto 121st Avenue Northeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
121st Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
121st Avenue Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this drive takes less than half an hour, you do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops or meal breaks. Your best strategy is to monitor traffic patterns on WA 520 and I-405, as these primary arteries can experience fluctuations in volume throughout the day. Because the total mileage is quite low, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to refuel or stretch your legs. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for merging traffic when transitioning between the three main highways, as the interchanges are frequent. Embrace the convenience of this short distance and use the time saved to focus on your arrival in Kingsgate.
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 8.2 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.8 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 16.5 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.2 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsgate, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 16.5 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Seattle, 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 WA 520 for about 6.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.2 mi from Seattle, WA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.2 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kingsgate, WA
The final approach into Kingsgate, 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 Kingsgate, 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
$3.46 one way
$6.93 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $3.62 | $7.23 |
| premium | $5.77 | $3.75 | $7.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.67 | $7.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.73 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Kingsgate, WA
Evening in Kingsgate on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°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
12 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
26m 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 Seattle, WA to Kingsgate, WA covers 16.5 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 520, I 405, I 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.2 miles from Seattle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.46 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 16.5 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: near the start (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Seattle, WA and Kingsgate, WA, road signs point toward Kirkland and Renton.
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