Origin
Kirkland, WA
Late night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Montesano, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
107.2 mi
173 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Montesano, WA
Nishant Vyas
Trip Overview
Kirkland to Montesano is 107.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m via I 5, WA 8, and I 405, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Washington to another part of the same coastal state. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. Expect mostly interstate driving, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. This route is a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.6 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 49.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| WA 8 | 21 mi | 26m |
| I 405 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| Olympic Highway | 10 mi | 12m |
| US 101 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Fleet Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 49.8 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Montesano, WA.
1
Start on 1st Street
399 ft
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
7th Avenue
3
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
7th Avenue
4
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
6th Street
6
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
30 mi
·
36 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 101: Aberdeen, Port Angeles
13
Continue on US 101
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 101
14
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 8
21 mi
·
26 min
·
WA 8
15
Continue on US 12
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Olympic Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward WA 107: Montesano, Raymond
17
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Turn left onto West Wynooche Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Wynooche Avenue
19
Turn right onto South Fleet Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Fleet Street
20
Turn uturn
356 ft
·
28 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2h 17m, you have a lot of flexibility with this 107.2-mile trip. Leaving Kirkland in the morning, perhaps after a quick breakfast, will allow you to arrive in Montesano with plenty of time to spare. The fuel cost is estimated at $22, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 49.8 miles on I 5. While no specific stops are noted, keep an eye on your fuel gauge and plan for a brief rest if needed, especially during the 49.8-mile segment on I 5.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.6 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montesano, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, WA
This is one driving day of about 107.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Kirkland, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Kirkland, 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 107.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
7th Avenue
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
7th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
19.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
39.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Turn uturn
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.44 one way
$44.87 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $23.53 | $47.06 |
| premium | $5.77 | $24.34 | $48.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.26 | $5.15 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.38 | $4.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Montesano, WA
Late night in Montesano on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
3 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 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 7.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major highways like I 5, WA 8, and I 405. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 49.8 miles on I 5, which forms the backbone of this journey. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced interstate travel, offering a consistent and efficient cruising experience. As you transition from I 405 to I 5 and then onto WA 8, the road maintains its highway profile, minimizing city navigation and maximizing forward momentum.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 107.2 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Kirkland, WA to Montesano, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Port Angeles along the way.
Port Angeles
69.4 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 107.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 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 Montesano, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Montesano, 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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