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Trip from Kirkland, WA to West Valley, 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 52m

Distance

147.7 mi

238 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 41m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in King County, Washington, United States

Kirkland, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Valley, WA, WA

West Valley, WA

Frank Cone

Trip Overview

This 147.7-mile drive from Kirkland, WA to West Valley, WA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 96% of the journey on routes like I-90, US-97, and I-405. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $31, making it a budget-friendly excursion. This highway-focused route is ideal for those looking to cover distance efficiently within the Pacific Coast region. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel without needing an overnight stay.

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

73.8 miles from Kirkland, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 100.5 mi 1h 51m
US 97 31.3 mi 34m
I 405 6 mi 7m
US 12 3.3 mi 4m
North 66th Avenue 1 mi 2m
Cowiche Canyon Road 1 mi 1m
7th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
North 72nd Avenue 0.5 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 West Valley, 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

31 mi · 34 min · US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

314 ft · 4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
15

Merge onto US 12

3.3 mi · 4 min · US 12
16

Turn left onto Ackley Road

351 ft · 15 sec · Ackley Road
17

At end of road, turn left onto West Powerhouse Road

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West Powerhouse Road
18

Turn right onto Cowiche Canyon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Cowiche Canyon Road
19

Turn left onto Prospect Way

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Prospect Way
20

Continue on North 66th Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · North 66th Avenue
21

At end of road, turn right onto Summitview Avenue

0.4 mi · 58 sec · Summitview Avenue
22

Turn left onto North 72nd Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · North 72nd Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Tieton Drive

217 ft · 10 sec · Tieton Drive
24

Turn left

315 ft · 23 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 2-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially on I-405. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 100.5 miles, plan your break strategically to coincide with your needs. The $31 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a single-day trip covering 147.7 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly before heading into longer stretches on US-97 where services might be less frequent.

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 73.8 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 26m 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 73.8 miles or 1h 26m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Valley, 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 147.7 miles and 2h 52m.

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.

Downtown Tanner, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tanner, WA

74 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

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Cle Elum, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.8 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 147.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
6
140.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 12 west, North 1st Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
6
147.1 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | North 72nd Avenue

Turn left onto North 72nd Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.91 one way

$61.82 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $32.42 $64.84
premium $5.77 $33.54 $67.08
diesel $5.61 $32.61 $65.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.3 0 $15.51 $7.09
Efficient EV 36.9 0 $12.92 $5.91
EV Truck/SUV 59.1 0 $20.68 $9.45

Gas CO2

52 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Kirkland, WA

Night in Kirkland on Saturday

Local time

9:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

57°F

Sunny

SSW 5 mph 2% chance Live 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

West Valley, WA

Night in West Valley on Saturday

Local time

9:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

68°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

11 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

2h 52m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 147.7-mile journey, with 96% of your travel occurring on interstates and major U.S. highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.5 miles on I-90, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. This route is designed for forward momentum, connecting you efficiently between points. While the highway share is high, the inclusion of I-405 and US-97 suggests a transition between different types of major roadways as you progress.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 21 significant decision points across 147.7 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 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; at 109 miles (US 97): 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.

On the drive from Kirkland, WA to West Valley, 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 52m. Total distance: 147.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 West Valley, 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 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; at 109 miles (US 97): 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 West Valley, 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.

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