Origin
Seattle, WA
Night in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
10:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Kirkland, WA
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11.5 mi
18 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Seattle to Kirkland, you are looking at a quick 11.5-mile journey that typically takes about 20 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited as a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily utilize I-5, WA 520, and Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast to navigate between these two Pacific Coast locations. Budgeting just $2 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical trip for a quick change of scenery. Because the total duration is so short, you have total flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. Whether you are commuting or just exploring, this route offers a straightforward connection between the two cities.
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
5.7 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as roughly 67% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The experience is defined by efficiency, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 5.8 miles while traveling on WA 520. As you transition from the urban density of Seattle onto the highway, the pace remains steady before you eventually exit toward the local streets of Kirkland. It is a functional, high-speed transit experience rather than a winding backroad adventure. Prepare for a consistent flow of traffic as you navigate the primary arterial connections that link 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 15 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 5.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 520 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Madison Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 11.5 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 (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
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
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
7
8.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
Bellevue Way Northeast
Turn left onto Bellevue Way Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast along the way.
Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
8.3 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 520 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| I 5 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Lake Street South | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bellevue Way Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 520
— 5.8 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Kirkland, 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
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
WA 520
Exit 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast, Bellevue Way
9
Keep slight left at fork
162 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Bellevue Way Northeast
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Bellevue Way Northeast
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on Lake Street South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street South
13
At end of road, turn left onto Central Way
312 ft
·
19 sec
·
Central Way
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
1st Street
15
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this drive is only 20 minutes long, you do not need to worry about pacing stops or planning for long-distance fatigue. You can easily complete the entire trip without a single planned stop, allowing you to get to your destination quickly. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on WA 520 can fluctuate, so checking road conditions before you pull out of your driveway is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is a negligible $2, you can focus your travel budget on whatever activities you have planned once you arrive in Kirkland. Take advantage of the short travel time to remain spontaneous with your departure hour.
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 5.7 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.8 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 11.5 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.7 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 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 11.5 miles and 20m.
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 5.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.7 mi from Seattle, WA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.7 miles from Seattle, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.41 one way
$4.83 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $2.52 | $5.04 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.61 | $5.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.55 | $5.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Kirkland, WA
Night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
10:25 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
20m 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 Kirkland, WA covers 11.5 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 520, I 5, Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.7 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 $2.41 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 11 significant decision points across 11.5 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 (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast along the way.
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