Connecting Ephrata to Kirkland, this 170.6-mile journey typically takes about 3 hours and 17 minutes to complete. Because the trip is straightforward and spans a manageable distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the transit. The route transitions from the interior landscape of Ephrata toward the urban environment of Kirkland, both located within Washington state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a direct path between the two points without the need for an overnight stay.
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
85.3 miles from Ephrata, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
141.3 mi
2h 35m
Basin Street Southwest
20.1 mi
27m
I 405
6.3 mi
7m
Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
3rd Avenue Southwest
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 141.3 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft·6 sec·3rd Avenue Southwest
2
Turn left onto WA 28
20 mi·27 min·Basin Street Southwest
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
4
Merge onto I 90
141 mi·2 hr 35 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
6.3 mi·7 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
10
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
12
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
13
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
14
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
15
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 170.6-mile trip is simple since it only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed. Given the duration, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Kirkland area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Ephrata to ensure you stay within your $36 budget, as prices can fluctuate once you hit the heavier traffic zones. Since the longest stretch is over 140 miles, use that time to settle into a comfortable rhythm before your final transition onto I-405. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, allowing you to easily adjust your schedule based on traffic flow.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.3 miles from Ephrata, WA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.3 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 39m
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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA
This is one driving day of about 170.6 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Ephrata, 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 90 for about 141.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.5 and 168.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.5 mi into trip|~28m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
161.8 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
162 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
5
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
$35.71 one way
$71.41 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$37.44
$74.89
premium
$5.77
$38.74
$77.48
diesel
$5.61
$37.67
$75.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.91
$8.19
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.93
$6.82
EV Truck/SUV
68.2
0
$23.88
$10.92
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ephrata, WA
Late night
in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 17m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 164.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 87% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major highways. You will start by navigating Basin Street Southwest before merging onto the primary artery of the trip, I-90. This interstate accounts for a significant 141.3-mile stretch, providing a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. Eventually, you will transition to I-405 to reach your final destination. While the road is predominantly a fast-moving interstate grind, the shift from rural surroundings to the denser traffic patterns near Kirkland keeps the experience functional rather than monotonous.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Basin Street Southwest. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 170.6 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 20.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Ephrata, WA and Kirkland, WA, road signs point toward Everett and Bellevue.
Everett
161.8 mi in|~3h 3m
Bellevue
162 mi in|~3h 4m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 170.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 20.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
