Finley, WA to Kirkland, WA is 231.2 miles and takes about 4h 25m via US 97, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Washington State, originating in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. Expect a drive that is almost entirely on major highways, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day completion, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient transit between these two points in Washington.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.6 miles from Finley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
I 405
6.3 mi
7m
East State Route 397
4.2 mi
6m
East Columbia Drive
1.6 mi
3m
East Chemical Drive
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Finley, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Finley Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Finley Road
2
Turn left onto WA 397
4.2 mi·6 min·East State Route 397
3
Continue on WA 397
1.0 mi·1 min·East Chemical Drive
4
Continue on WA 397
0.4 mi·1 min·South Gum Street
5
Turn left onto East Columbia Drive
1.6 mi·3 min·East Columbia Drive
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 240
0.1 mi·8 sec·WA 240
7
Continue on WA 240
6.4 mi·8 min·WA 240
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 240
5.1 mi·5 min·WA 240
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 182; US 12
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 182; US 12
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
11
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 405
6.3 mi·7 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
18
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
20
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
21
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
22
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
23
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
24
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 25m duration, starting your drive in Finley, WA early in the morning will allow you to reach Kirkland, WA with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is primarily highway, so planning for fuel stops is straightforward; keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97. While only one stop is indicated, you may wish to take additional breaks as needed for comfort. With a total drive time under five hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 115.6 miles from Finley, WA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
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 Finley, 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 Finley, WA
This is one driving day of about 231.2 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Finley, 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 US 97 for about 101.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.9 and 229.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.9 mi into trip|~21m in|WA 240
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 240
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
8
222.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
8
229.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
$48.39 one way
$96.78 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$50.75
$101.49
premium
$5.77
$52.50
$105.00
diesel
$5.61
$51.05
$102.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.23
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.37
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Finley, WA
Night
in Finley on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Night
in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
9:24 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
2 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
4h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 223.2
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 98% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent travel, including a significant 101.4-mile segment on US 97. The primary roads guiding you are US 97, US 12, and I 82, suggesting a predominantly fast-paced travel experience. The route is designed for efficiency, minimizing time spent on slower local roads and maximizing your progress across the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near WA 240.
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 17 significant decision points across 231.2 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 13.9 miles (WA 240): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.4 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 Finley, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
19.1 mi in|~26m|via US 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 231.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.4 miles on US 97. 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 13.9 miles (WA 240): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
