Spanning 167.9 miles, this trip from Mount Vista to Kirkland is a straightforward journey across the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, the drive is relatively economical for solo travelers or small groups. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, you will find it easy to navigate in one go without the need for an overnight stay. You should plan for one scheduled stop to break up the travel time, ensuring you stay refreshed for your arrival in Kirkland.
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
84 miles from Mount Vista, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
144.3 mi
2h 45m
I 405
17.4 mi
21m
Northeast 179th Street
2 mi
3m
Northeast 50th Avenue
1 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Northeast 159th Street
0.6 mi
2m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 144.3 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vista, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Sam Smith Drive
208 ft·9 sec·Northeast Sam Smith Drive
2
Turn right onto Northeast 159th Street
0.6 mi·2 min·Northeast 159th Street
3
Turn left onto Northeast 50th Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast 50th Avenue
4
Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street
2.0 mi·3 min·Northeast 179th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
6
Merge onto I 5
124 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
13
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
15
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
16
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
17
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
18
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
19
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 21-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak congestion on I-5, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Since the trip is manageable in one day, use your single planned stop strategically to stretch your legs after completing the long 144.3-mile stretch on the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $35 investment to complete the full 167.9 miles. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your timing based on real-time traffic reports for the I-405 corridor. Always verify your route before leaving Mount Vista to ensure you are prepared for the high-speed transitions between the interstate systems.
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 84 miles from Mount Vista, WA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.3 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 38m 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 40m
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 Mount Vista, 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 Mount Vista, WA
This is one driving day of about 167.9 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Mount Vista, 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 144.3 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 3.9 and 166.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.9 mi into trip|~8m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
148.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
148.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
166.1 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$35.14 one way
$70.28 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$36.85
$73.70
premium
$5.77
$38.13
$76.26
diesel
$5.61
$37.07
$74.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.69
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Mount Vista, WA
Late night
in Mount Vista on Sunday
Local time
3:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
3:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
SSW 5 mph2% chanceLive 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
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
16 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
3h 21m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is defined by its heavy reliance on major infrastructure, with 96% of the journey consisting of highway travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5 and I-405, providing a consistent pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 144.3 miles on I-5, which keeps the drive moving efficiently but requires focus for long durations. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. While you will navigate local infrastructure like Northeast 179th Street, the overall personality of the drive is a fast-paced, industrial-style transit.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.3 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 around 3.9 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 167.9 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 3.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.3 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.
On the drive from Mount Vista, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
148.3 mi in|~2h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 167.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m 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 144.3 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: at 3.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
