Spanning 171.6 miles, this route from Five Corners to Kirkland is a manageable journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes to complete. Because the entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you can easily handle this as a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $36 for fuel will cover your transit across these local corridors. You will navigate via Northeast 86th Street, Northeast 94th Avenue, and Northeast Padden Parkway throughout the drive. Since the route is short enough to conquer in one go, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you total flexibility for your schedule.
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
85.7 miles from Five Corners, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
146.2 mi
2h 47m
I 405
17.4 mi
21m
I 205
4.2 mi
5m
Northeast Padden Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Five Corners, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on this road
57 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Northeast 86th Street
252 ft·16 sec·Northeast 86th Street
3
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·Northeast 94th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Northeast Padden Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Northeast Padden Parkway
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 205 North: SeattleUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 205
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
14
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
16
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
17
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
18
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
19
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
20
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is straightforward given the 171.6-mile distance, but try to avoid peak local traffic to keep your travel time closer to the 2-hour and 52-minute estimate. Since you only have one scheduled stop, use that time to stretch and refuel effectively to stay within your $36 budget. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you move between Northeast 86th Street and Northeast 94th Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be disorienting. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of spontaneity; feel free to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference rather than strict daylight constraints. Always double-check your route markers before heading out on Northeast Padden Parkway to ensure you stay on the correct path.
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 85.7 miles from Five Corners, WA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 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 42m
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 Five Corners, 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 Five Corners, WA
This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Five Corners, 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 146.2 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 1 and 169.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 205 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
6
131.1 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
151.7 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
151.8 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
169.6 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
$35.87 one way
$71.75 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$37.62
$75.24
premium
$5.77
$38.92
$77.85
diesel
$5.61
$37.84
$75.69
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: 60 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
38 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
WinCo Foods - Tesla Supercharger
Vancouver, WA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Vancouver, WA - Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
Efficient EV
42.9
0
$15.00
$6.86
EV Truck/SUV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
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 19, 2026
Origin
Five Corners, WA
Night
in Five Corners on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Night
in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 2 mph3% chanceLive 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
1 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
3h 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 165.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, keeping you on smaller roads that require frequent navigation and focus. The journey is defined by its winding local character rather than high-speed cruising, so prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience. Because the path relies exclusively on local streets, the pace remains consistent as you transition between these specific corridors. You will find that the lack of highway stretches makes for a more tactile and engaged time on the road.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 171.4 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.7 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 Five Corners, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
151.7 mi in|~2h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m 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 146.2 miles on I 5. 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
