Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
21m
Distance
13 mi
21 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
West Lake Sammamish, WA
Wikimedia Commons
This short 13-mile drive from Kirkland to West Lake Sammamish in Washington is easily manageable as a day trip, taking about 21 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes major highways, including I-405 and I-90, with a portion on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast. With a projected fuel cost of around $3, this is a budget-friendly option for getting between these two Pacific Coast locations. Given its brevity and highway focus, you won't need an overnight stay; you can easily make this trip and still have plenty of time for activities at your destination.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 6 mi | 7m |
| I 90 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 177th Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and West Lake Sammamish, WA.
Start on 1st Street
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Continue on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Continue on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Enter roundabout onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Continue on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Turn right onto 177th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Southeast 40th Place
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 11.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$2.72 one way
$5.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $2.85 | $5.71 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.95 | $5.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.37 | $0.62 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.14 | $0.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.82 | $0.83 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in West Lake Sammamish on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this journey, with 74% of the drive on interstates like I-405 and I-90. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 6 miles on I-405, offering a consistent, faster-paced drive. As you transition to West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast, the character of the road may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains one of efficient travel between points. This route prioritizes directness over extensive scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and I 90. 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.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 13 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 21m.
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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kirkland, WA and West Lake Sammamish, WA, road signs point toward Seattle, Lakemont Boulevard Southeast and Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast.
Seattle
Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 21m. Total distance: 13 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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