Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Shelton, 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 57m
Distance
89.8 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Shelton, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 89.8-mile drive from Kirkland, WA to Shelton, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-5 and I-405, with a significant portion on US-101, making it a 95% highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route offers a straightforward and efficient journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, suggesting a consistent coastal feel throughout your travel. This is a practical option for a quick hop between these Washington communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 49.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 405 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| US 101 | 16.8 mi | 21m |
| Southeast State Route 3 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Olympic Highway South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 1st Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 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 Shelton, 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 right at fork onto US 101
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 101
Toward US 101 North: Shelton, Port Angeles
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
16
Continue on WA 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast State Route 3
17
Continue on WA 3
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Olympic Highway South
18
Continue on WA 3
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 1st Street
19
Turn left onto West Cedar Street
304 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Cedar Street
20
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
216 ft
·
9 sec
·
North 2nd Street
21
Arrive at destination
North 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this trip is ideal for a flexible departure. Leaving Kirkland in the morning, perhaps after the initial rush hour on I-405, will set you up for a smooth arrival in Shelton. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, keeping in mind the longest stretch without a major interchange is nearly 50 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; while the estimated cost is low at $19, it's always wise to top off before embarking on the 89.8-mile journey, especially if you plan any detours.
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 44.9 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 58m 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 58m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shelton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kirkland, WA
This is one driving day of about 89.8 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.9 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 75.4 — 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.
6
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
US 101
Keep slight right at fork onto US 101 toward US 101 North: Shelton, Port Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 101 North: Shelton, Port Angeles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.79 one way
$37.59 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $19.71 | $39.42 |
| premium | $5.77 | $20.39 | $40.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.83 | $39.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.43 | $4.31 |
| Efficient EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.86 | $3.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (65% 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
Shelton, WA
Evening in Shelton on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
10 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
1h 57m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey taking place on major interstates and US highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.8 miles on I-5, allowing for steady progress. While the specific road types vary, the overall character is that of efficient travel, transitioning from the busy I-405 to the expansive I-5, and finally to US-101. This route is designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
95% 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 I 405. 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.8 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
362 ft
17 ft
Total Climb
843 ft
Total Descent
980 ft
Highest Point
362 ft
~25.7 mi in
Elevation Range
345 ft
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 Shelton, 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 1h 57m. Total distance: 89.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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 Shelton, 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 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Shelton, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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