Spanning 168.4 miles, this trip from Kirkland to Mount Vista is a straightforward journey typically taking 3 hours and 21 minutes. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $35 on fuel for the trek. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, moving through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. It is a highly practical route for travelers prioritizing efficiency over leisurely backroads. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the trip offers a predictable pace that fits well within a standard day of travel.
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
84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
144.7 mi
2h 45m
I 405
17.8 mi
22m
Northeast 179th Street
2.1 mi
4m
Northeast 50th Avenue
1 mi
1m
Northeast 159th Street
0.6 mi
2m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 144.7 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Mount Vista, 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: RentonUse 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: PortlandUse 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
124 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 9Toward Northeast 179th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street
2.1 mi·4 min·Northeast 179th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn right onto Northeast 50th Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast 50th Avenue
15
Turn right onto Northeast 159th Street
0.6 mi·2 min·Northeast 159th Street
16
Turn left onto Northeast Sam Smith Drive
257 ft·8 sec·Northeast Sam Smith Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Northeast Sam Smith Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 3-hour and 21-minute duration. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on I-5, keep a close eye on traffic reports, as highway congestion can significantly impact your arrival time. Leaving early in the morning or mid-day is your best bet for avoiding the heaviest commuter windows. Because the route is so highway-dependent, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the main interstate arteries to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the flexibility of this 168.4-mile trip, you have plenty of room to adjust your schedule based on the day's traffic flow.
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 84.2 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.7 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 42m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Vista, 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 168.4 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Kirkland, 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 144.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 164.6 — 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
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.
7
164.3 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 179th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward Northeast 179th Street
6
164.6 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|Northeast 179th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.24 one way
$70.49 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$36.96
$73.92
premium
$5.77
$38.24
$76.48
diesel
$5.61
$37.18
$74.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.58
$10.78
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening
in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
SSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Mount Vista, WA
Evening
in Mount Vista on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
16 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
3h 21m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 97% of your time on the road is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate using I-405 and I-5, with the latter hosting your longest uninterrupted stretch of 144.7 miles. The drive is designed for consistency rather than technical maneuvering, keeping you on heavy-duty infrastructure for nearly the entire duration. Transitioning onto Northeast 179th Street provides the final local connection as you reach your destination. While the experience is primarily an interstate grind, the straightforward nature of the roads allows you to maintain a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
473 ft20 ft
Total Climb
1,253 ft
Total Descent
1,177 ft
Highest Point
473 ft
~108.2 mi in
Elevation Range
453 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m 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 144.7 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 Mount Vista, 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Vista, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
