Traveling from Kelso to Redmond covers 135 miles and typically takes 2 hours and 43 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your journey navigating major corridors, specifically I-5, I-405, and WA-520. Because the entire route remains within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you can expect consistent road conditions throughout. Budgeting roughly $28 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip. Since the drive is under three hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay, allowing you to complete the journey comfortably in a single day.
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
67.5 miles from Kelso, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
113 mi
2h 11m
I 405
13.8 mi
17m
WA 520
4.4 mi
5m
North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Leary Way
0.5 mi
1m
West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Cowlitz Way
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 113 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kelso, WA and Redmond, WA.
1
Start on North 4th Avenue
32 ft·5 sec·North 4th Avenue
2
Turn right onto WA 4
0.1 mi·13 sec·Cowlitz Way
3
Turn right onto North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Pacific Avenue
4
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Kelso Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
6
Merge onto I 5
92 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
8
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.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 405
14 mi·17 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 14Toward WA 520: Seattle, RedmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
453 ft·11 sec
Toward WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, RedmondUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward 124th Avenue NortheastUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto WA 520
4.4 mi·5 min·WA 520
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway NortheastUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
0.3 mi·40 sec·West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Leary Way
0.5 mi·1 min·Leary Way
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Redmond Way
315 ft·18 sec·Redmond Way
19
Turn left onto WA 202
30 ft·0 sec·164th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
WA 202
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, especially during peak travel hours near major urban centers. Since the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time to avoid heavy congestion on the I-5 and I-405 segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Kelso, as the $28 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on current market prices and your vehicle's efficiency. Given the high percentage of highway travel, staying alert during the long 113-mile stretch on I-5 is critical for maintaining focus. Use your single planned stop as an opportunity to stretch your legs before navigating the final transition onto WA-520.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.5 miles from Kelso, WA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redmond, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kelso, 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 Kelso, WA
This is one driving day of about 135 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Kelso, 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 113 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 114.3 and 129.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
114.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
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 14
Toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
8
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, Redmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, Red...
8
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 124th Avenue Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 124th Avenue Northeast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.25 one way
$56.51 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$29.63
$59.26
premium
$5.77
$30.66
$61.31
diesel
$5.61
$29.81
$59.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.17
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.8
0
$11.81
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.90
$8.64
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
Kelso, WA
Evening
in Kelso on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Redmond, WA
Evening
in Redmond on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°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
2h 43m 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
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 125.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused highway experience, as 97% of this route consists of high-speed interstate driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on a 113-mile stretch along I-5, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is efficient and fast-paced, it lacks the variety of smaller, technical roads found on more scenic backroads. Instead, you will experience a steady, predictable flow of traffic as you transition from the interstate system toward the Redmond area via the I-405 and WA-520 corridors. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for connectivity rather than leisurely exploration.
97% 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: 113 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 114.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 135 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 114.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 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.
On the drive from Kelso, WA to Redmond, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, on the Eastside of Lake Washington. It is a suburb of Seattle, 15 miles (24 km) away. Redmond is home to Microsoft Corporation, which has a large presence in the area. It is also home to Nintendo of America and numerous other companies. It is the self-proclaimed Bicycle Capital of the Northwest.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 135 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 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 Redmond, 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 114.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 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 Redmond, WA before heading back.
