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Trip from Aberdeen, WA to Kirkland, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

117.2 mi

189 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 23m ★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m

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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city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States

Aberdeen, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in King County, Washington, United States

Kirkland, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 117.2-mile drive from Aberdeen, WA to Kirkland, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes. Primarily following I-5 and WA 8, with a segment on Olympic Highway, this route offers a straightforward journey across Washington. With an estimated fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region. The majority of this drive, about 80%, is on highways, making it a generally efficient way to travel between these two points within the state. Consider this a practical, highway-focused option for your travel plans.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58.6 miles from Aberdeen, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 49.5 mi 1h 1m
WA 8 21.1 mi 26m
Olympic Highway 19.1 mi 25m
I 405 17.4 mi 21m
US 101 5.4 mi 7m
East Wishkah Street 1.5 mi 3m
Northeast 85th Street 0.7 mi 1m
7th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 49.5 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 101

310 ft · 16 sec · East Wishkah Street
2

Turn left onto South I Street

365 ft · 23 sec · South I Street
3

Turn left onto US 101

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East Heron Street
4

Continue on US 12

474 ft · 13 sec · Hornsby Way
5

Turn right onto US 12

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Wishkah Street
6

Continue on US 12

19 mi · 25 min · Olympic Highway
7

Continue on WA 8

21 mi · 26 min · WA 8
8

Merge onto US 101

5.4 mi · 7 min · US 101
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 52 sec
10

Merge onto I 5

29 mi · 36 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

21 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
12

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.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 405

17 mi · 21 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 18 Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

182 ft · 6 sec
17

Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn right onto 6th Street

449 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street
19

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · 7th Avenue
20

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.3 mi · 50 sec · 7th Avenue
21

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 18 sec · 7th Avenue
22

Turn right onto 1st Street

399 ft · 11 sec · 1st Street
23

Arrive at destination

1st Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 33 minutes, this 117.2-mile trip from Aberdeen to Kirkland is ideal for a single-day adventure. You can depart at your leisure, but an early start will give you more flexibility for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop and a manageable fuel cost of approximately $25, you won't need to worry about extensive planning. Keep an eye on the transition from Olympic Highway to I-5, as this is where the driving character shifts to a more rapid pace.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Aberdeen, WA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 26 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.6 miles or 1h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 4m

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 Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, WA

This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Aberdeen, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 49.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Thurston County, Washington, United States, and Washington federated state capital city

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Olympia, WA

59 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

McCleary, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Yelm, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Aberdeen, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rediviva Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Aberdeen, Washington

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13606378181

Visit website

La Salvadoreña Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aberdeen, Washington

0.1 mi

Equal Latin Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Olympia, Washington

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Gravity Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Washington

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 67

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12534478740

Visit website

Painted Plate

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Olympia, Washington

1.7 mi

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tacoma, Washington

1.7 mi

Rediviva Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately

Aberdeen, Washington

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13606378181

Visit website

La Salvadoreña Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Aberdeen, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13605328747

Visit website

Equal Latin Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+13608194817

Visit website

SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 117.2

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14252027465

Visit website

Taqueria San Jose

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Aberdeen, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13605384855

Chuck E. Cheese

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 75.4

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12534733078

Visit website

Gardner's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 5–8 pm

+13607868466

Visit website

Nineveh Assyrian Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13609156722

Visit website

Gravity Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 67

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12534478740

Visit website

Painted Plate

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13607052103

Visit website

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.4

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12532373403

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.5

Renton, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.8

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Daisy Mae's Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.1

Kent, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm

+12538725580

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.7

Federal Way, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12064605185

Visit website

Santo Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 117.2

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12064031678

Visit website

Lions Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+13607538380

Visit website

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 58.6

Olympia, Washington

+13607539467

Visit website

Sam Benn Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Aberdeen, Washington

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13605373230

Visit website

Kurt Cobain Under the Bridge Memorial

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Aberdeen, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Kurt Cobain’s Childhood Home

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Aberdeen, Washington

The Little Gym of Olympia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 50.2

Olympia, Washington

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+13608655793

Visit website

Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 117.2

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14255873300

Visit website

Sure Lock Escapes- Renton

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 100.5

Renton, Washington

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+12539876899

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 115.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South I Street

Turn left onto South I Street

Navigation decision point

6
76.9 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
97.5 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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
97.6 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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
115.4 mi into trip | ~2h 28m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.53 one way

$49.06 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $25.72 $51.45
premium $5.77 $26.61 $53.23
diesel $5.61 $25.88 $51.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.2 0 $12.31 $5.63
Efficient EV 29.3 0 $10.25 $4.69
EV Truck/SUV 46.9 0 $16.41 $7.50

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Aberdeen, WA

Afternoon in Aberdeen on Sunday

Local time

2:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kirkland, WA

Afternoon in Kirkland on Sunday

Local time

2:52 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

4 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

2h 33m 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.

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 109.1
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 117.2-mile route, with 80% of the journey on high-speed roads like I-5. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.5 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. The inclusion of WA 8 and Olympic Highway provides some variation, though the overall character remains predominantly highway-centric. This drive is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, allowing you to cover ground steadily.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South I Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 117.2 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 0.1 miles (South I Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Bellevue

97.5 mi in | ~2h 6m

About the Cities

Starting in Aberdeen, WA

Full guide →

Aberdeen is a city in the Olympic Peninsula region of Washington. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. The population was about 17,000 in 2019.

Arriving in Kirkland, WA

Full guide →

Kirkland is a charming city of 93,000 (2019) in King County, Washington, across from Seattle on the east side of Lake Washington.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kirkland, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South I Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kirkland, WA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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