Origin
Gig Harbor, WA
Late night in Gig Harbor on Sunday
Local time
3:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gig Harbor, 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
1h 10m
Distance
52.3 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gig Harbor, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52.3-mile drive from Gig Harbor, WA to Kirkland, WA is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 92% of the journey being on roads like I-5, I-405, and WA-16, so expect a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this route is quite economical for a single day of travel. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your journey. This straightforward drive is ideal for a quick, efficient trip between these two Washington locations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 20.9 mi | 26m |
| I 405 | 17.4 mi | 21m |
| WA 16 | 9.6 mi | 12m |
| Pioneer Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 20.9 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gig Harbor, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Harborview Drive
188 ft
·
9 sec
·
Harborview Drive
2
Turn left onto Pioneer Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pioneer Way
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
4
Merge onto WA 16
9.6 mi
·
12 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 5
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-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Use 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 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Use 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
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Gig Harbor, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 50.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
11.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
32.6 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
32.7 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
$10.95 one way
$21.89 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $11.48 | $22.96 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.88 | $23.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.55 | $23.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.58 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
3:17 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
1h 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a substantial 92% of the 52.3 miles occurring on major interstates. You'll navigate through stretches of I-5, I-405, and WA-16, experiencing consistent speeds and efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.9 miles on I-5, offering a period of steady driving. While primarily interstate, the route transitions between these major arteries, providing a dynamic yet predictable driving experience. Be prepared for typical interstate conditions and traffic patterns.
92% 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: 20.9 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 10.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 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.
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 Gig Harbor, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
32.6 mi in
|
~42m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 52.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 20.9 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 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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