Origin
Yelm, WA
Evening in Yelm on Friday
Local time
8:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yelm, WA to Kirkland, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
70.3 mi
113 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yelm, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 70.3-mile drive from Yelm, WA, to Kirkland, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 39 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, with a manageable fuel cost estimated at $15. You'll primarily be on I-5 and I-405, with a portion on Yelm Highway Southeast, making it a direct route connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. The drive is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without extensive detours. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick and predictable trip between these Washington locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.2 miles from Yelm, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 70.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 79% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 37.1 miles on I-5, offering a consistent cruising pace. The drive begins with Yelm Highway Southeast before merging onto the faster-paced I-5 and then I-405. While not overly complex, the transition onto I-405 will signal your approach to a more urban environment. This route prioritizes forward momentum, making it feel like a swift connection rather than a leisurely exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 37.1 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 6.7 miles in near Reservation Road Southeast.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.3 miles you will encounter 22 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 6.7 miles (Reservation Road Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Reservation Road Southeast
Enter roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
30 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
50.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
50.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m 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
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yelm, WA and Kirkland, WA, road signs point toward Seattle and Bellevue.
Seattle
13.2 mi in
|
~25m
Bellevue
50.6 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 37.1 mi | 46m |
| I 405 | 17.4 mi | 21m |
| Yelm Highway Southeast | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Reservation Road Southeast | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Nisqually Road Southwest | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Old Pacific Highway Southeast | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| WA 510 Alternate | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 37.1 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yelm, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on this road
54 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
164 ft
·
7 sec
·
North 1st Street
3
Turn right onto WA 510
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Yelm Avenue
4
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Killion Road Southeast
5
Turn left onto WA 510 Alt
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 510 Alternate
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
Yelm Highway Southeast
7
Continue on WA 510
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Yelm Highway Southeast
8
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
98 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
9
Continue on WA 510
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
10
Enter roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
23 ft
·
0 sec
·
Reservation Road Southeast
11
Continue on Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Reservation Road Southeast
12
At end of road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Pacific Highway Southeast
13
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Nisqually Road Southwest
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
15
Merge onto I 5
16 mi
·
20 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 405
17 mi
·
21 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft
·
6 sec
22
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
24
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
7th Avenue
25
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
7th Avenue
26
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Avenue
27
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft
·
11 sec
·
1st Street
28
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 39-minute duration and 70.3-mile length, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, and with a fuel cost around $15, budgeting is simple. Since there are no recommended stops, plan for a single fuel and rest break if needed, perhaps before you merge onto I-405. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area, as congestion can impact your arrival time. A practical tip is to check real-time traffic conditions before leaving Yelm to ensure the smoothest transition onto the interstate system.
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 35.2 miles from Yelm, WA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.1 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 15 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.2 miles or 52m 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 23m
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 Yelm, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yelm, WA
This is one driving day of about 70.3 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Yelm, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 37.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.2 mi from Yelm, WA · 52m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.2 miles from Yelm, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.71 one way
$29.43 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.43 | $30.86 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.52 | $31.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.38 | $3.37 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.15 | $2.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Evening in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
8:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
10 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 39m 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 Yelm, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 70.3 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, Yelm Highway Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.2 miles from Yelm, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.71 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 70.3 miles you will encounter 22 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 6.7 miles (Reservation Road Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Yelm, WA and Kirkland, WA, road signs point toward Seattle and Bellevue.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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