Origin
Minnehaha, WA
Night in Minnehaha on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minnehaha, WA to Kirkland, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
172.4 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Minnehaha, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Minnehaha, WA to Kirkland, WA is 172.4 miles and takes about 3h 26m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it a straightforward trip for those looking for efficiency. With a recommended single day for completion, this route is ideal for a quick transit between points in the greater Puget Sound area.
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
86.2 miles from Minnehaha, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 150.8 mi | 2h 53m |
| I 405 | 17.4 mi | 21m |
| Northeast Ross Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Highway 99 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 22nd Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 54th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 150.8 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minnehaha, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Northeast 51st Street
56 ft
·
4 sec
·
Northeast 51st Street
2
Turn right onto Northeast 22nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Northeast 22nd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Northeast 54th Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Northeast 54th Street
4
Continue on Northeast Ross Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Ross Street
5
Continue on Northeast Ross Street
156 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northeast Ross Street
6
Turn left onto Northeast Highway 99
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Northeast Highway 99
7
Turn left
210 ft
·
6 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on Northeast Highway 99
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Northeast Highway 99
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 5
130 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
448 ft
·
10 sec
Exit 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 405
17 mi
·
21 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft
·
6 sec
17
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
19
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
7th Avenue
20
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
7th Avenue
21
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Avenue
22
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft
·
11 sec
·
1st Street
23
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a 1-day trip covering 172.4 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Aiming for an early departure can help you avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially as you approach the I 405 corridor. You'll have a longest stretch of 150.8 miles on I 5, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that long segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during peak travel times.
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 86.2 miles from Minnehaha, WA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.8 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 1h 41m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirkland, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minnehaha, 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 Minnehaha, WA
This is one driving day of about 172.4 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Minnehaha, 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 5 for about 150.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.2 miles from Minnehaha, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.8 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 170.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 22nd Avenue
Turn right onto Northeast 22nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
132.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
152.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
152.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
170.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
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 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.08 one way
$72.16 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $37.84 | $75.68 |
| premium | $5.77 | $39.15 | $78.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.06 | $76.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.10 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.14 | $11.03 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Kirkland, WA
Night in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
12 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
3h 26m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 166.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway drive, with 98% of the mileage on major interstates. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 5, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 150.8 miles. The transition to I 405 will mark a slight change in scenery as you navigate closer to urban centers. Northeast Ross Street will be a brief segment on local roads before you reach your destination. Be prepared for consistent, fast-paced driving.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.8 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 early in the drive near Northeast 22nd Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 172.4 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: near the start (Northeast 22nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 132.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.8 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 Minnehaha, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
152.8 mi in
|
~2h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 172.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m 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 150.8 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Kirkland, 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: near the start (Northeast 22nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 132.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 NPS for national parks. 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
Continue From Kirkland, WA
More trips to Kirkland, WA
Explore more options from Minnehaha, WA or browse trips ending in Kirkland, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.