Origin
Kirkland, WA
Late night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
3:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Terrace Heights, 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 47m
Distance
144.8 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Terrace Heights, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
Kirkland, WA to Terrace Heights, WA is 144.8 miles and takes about 2h 47m via I 90, US 97, and I 405, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. Expect a drive primarily on major highways, making it a straightforward journey for a single day. With just one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient travel. The short duration and predictable path make it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.
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
72.4 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 100.5 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 97 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| I 405 | 6 mi | 7m |
| Terrace Heights Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Yakima Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Terrace Heights Way | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Terrace Heights, 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
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
101 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 97
33 mi
·
36 min
·
US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
14
Turn left onto East Yakima Avenue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Yakima Avenue
15
Continue on Terrace Heights Way
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Terrace Heights Way
16
Continue on Terrace Heights Drive
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Terrace Heights Drive
17
Turn straight onto Roza Hill Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Roza Hill Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Roza Hill Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 47m duration, leaving Kirkland in the morning will easily get you to Terrace Heights with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway mark, to break up the drive. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you get further from the Seattle metro area; the longest stretch on I 90 is over 100 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before that segment. Since this is a relatively short, same-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient.
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 72.4 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 24m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terrace Heights, 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 144.8 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 90 for about 100.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.5 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 109 — 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
8
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
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 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.61 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $31.78 | $63.56 |
| premium | $5.77 | $32.88 | $65.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.97 | $63.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Terrace Heights, WA
Late night in Terrace Heights on Sunday
Local time
3:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°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 47m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates and highways. You'll experience long stretches of fast-paced travel, including a significant 100.5-mile segment on I 90. The route is predominantly a modern interstate experience, designed for covering distance quickly. While the landscape will change as you move east, the road itself remains largely consistent, offering a smooth and efficient drive for most of its length.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 144.8 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 7.5 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 Kirkland, WA to Terrace Heights, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.
Seattle
7.5 mi in
|
~11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 144.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m 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 100.5 miles on I 90. 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 Terrace Heights, 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 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Terrace Heights, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Explore more options from Kirkland, WA or browse trips ending in Terrace Heights, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.