Anacortes, WA to Kirkland, WA is 73.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip mostly stays within Washington state, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With less than two hours of driving time and a low fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick transfer or a day trip without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Anacortes, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
42.9 mi
50m
I 405
11.2 mi
14m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
WA 536
5.4 mi
10m
State Route 20 Spur
2.5 mi
3m
R Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Commercial Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 42.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anacortes, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on WA 20 SPUR
11 ft·4 sec·12th Street
2
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.6 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
3
Turn left onto 22nd Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
4
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
13 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
5
Continue on R Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·R Avenue
6
Turn left onto R Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·R Avenue
8
Take the ramp
215 ft·5 sec
9
Merge onto WA 20 SPUR
2.5 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
167 ft·2 sec·State Route 20
11
Continue on WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
12
Take the exit onto WA 536
5.4 mi·10 min·WA 536
Toward Mount VernonUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto WA 536
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Kincaid Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
15
Merge onto I 5
43 mi·50 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
10 mi·12 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
22
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
23
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
24
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
25
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
26
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 38m duration, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. You can easily leave Anacortes in the morning and arrive in Kirkland with plenty of the day still ahead. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own quick break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you approach Kirkland, to avoid any unexpected delays, though the $15 fuel estimate suggests it's not a major concern. The primary roads are well-maintained, so focus on enjoying the straightforward journey.
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 36.8 miles from Anacortes, WA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.9 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 51m 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 22m
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 Anacortes, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anacortes, WA
This is one driving day of about 73.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Anacortes, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 42.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|R Avenue
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
11 mi into trip|~17m in|WA 536
Take the exit onto WA 536 toward Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Mount Vernon
8
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, 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.
Exit 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
61.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
72 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.42 one way
$30.85 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$16.18
$32.35
premium
$5.77
$16.74
$33.47
diesel
$5.61
$16.27
$32.54
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: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.45
$2.95
EV Truck/SUV
29.5
0
$10.32
$4.72
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Anacortes, WA
Late night
in Anacortes on Sunday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Arlington, WA
37 mi in
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
2 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
1h 38m 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
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 73.7
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the 73.7 miles spent on major interstates like I 5 and I 405. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.9 miles on I 5, indicating a significant portion of the journey involves consistent highway speeds. The route is designed for efficiency, so anticipate a driving experience characterized by smooth, high-speed travel rather than winding scenic byways. The transition between highways is designed to be seamless, keeping you moving towards your destination with minimal interruption.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.7 miles in near R Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.7 miles you will encounter 21 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 0.7 miles (R Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 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.
Between Anacortes, WA and Kirkland, WA, road signs point toward Mount Vernon and Renton.
Mount Vernon
11 mi in|~17m|via WA 536
Renton
59.9 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 73.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.9 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (R Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 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 and San Juan Island 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.
