If you are planning a trip from Kirkland to West Pasco, prepare for a 223.1-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Because this route involves a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel. You should budget around $47 for fuel to cover the distance across Washington. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the shift from the suburban density of Kirkland to the environment of West Pasco makes for a distinct change in scenery. It is a straightforward trip that works well as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.5 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
US 12
10 mi
10m
I 405
6 mi
7m
Road 68
1 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and West Pasco, 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
6.0 mi·7 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse 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
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
14
Take the exit onto US 12
10.0 mi·10 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, PascoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 9Toward Road 68
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Road 68
17
Turn straight onto Road 68
1.0 mi·1 min·Road 68
18
Turn right onto West Wernett Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·West Wernett Road
19
Turn left onto Road 72
0.2 mi·50 sec·Road 72
20
Turn left onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi·48 sec·Pearl Street
21
Arrive at destination
Pearl Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy nature of these local roads. Since the route takes over four hours, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid the fatigue that can set in when navigating non-highway stretches. Keep your fuel gauge in mind and aim to fill up before you get deep into the local road sections to stay within your $47 budget. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the total trip time is manageable, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate traffic or weather conditions. Most importantly, stay focused on your navigation apps, as the reliance on local streets like Northeast 85th Street means you will be making frequent turns throughout the journey.
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 111.5 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 2h 8m 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Pasco, 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 223.1 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 211 — 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
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
8
211 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
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.
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.46 one way
$86.92 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$45.53
$91.07
premium
$5.39
$47.35
$94.70
diesel
$4.80
$42.13
$84.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.9
0
$23.43
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.52
$8.92
EV Truck/SUV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
WNW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
West Pasco, WA
Late night
in West Pasco on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
18 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
4h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route relies entirely on local roads like 7th Avenue, 6th Street, and Northeast 85th Street. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating through a series of turns that demand your full attention behind the wheel. The drive is defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed cruising, so plan for a steady pace rather than an open-road sprint. Because you are avoiding major highways, you will encounter a more varied, stop-and-go environment throughout the entire 223.1 miles. Stay alert, as the constant shifting and local traffic patterns require more active driving than a standard freeway commute.
98% 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: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 223.1 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,498 ft122 ft
Total Climb
3,131 ft
Total Descent
2,933 ft
Highest Point
2,498 ft
~63.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,376 ft
Notable High Points
2,144 ft at ~127.5 miles+697 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kirkland, WA and West Pasco, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 223.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 West Pasco, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles: 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at West Pasco, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
