Ocean Shores, WA to Kirkland, WA is 142.5 miles and takes about 3h 19m via I 5 and WA 8, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland towards the Puget Sound area. Expect a highway-focused journey that's efficient for getting from point A to point B. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll encounter mostly major roadways, making it a straightforward trip for most travelers. Consider this route if you prioritize speed and directness over extensive scenic detours.
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
71.3 miles from Ocean Shores, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
49.5 mi
1h 1m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
I 405
17.4 mi
21m
State Route 109
14.6 mi
21m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
Simpson Avenue
2.9 mi
7m
Point Brown Avenue Northeast
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 49.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean Shores, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Canal Drive Southeast
0.3 mi·1 min·Canal Drive Southeast
2
At end of road, turn left onto Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast
282 ft·12 sec·Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast
3
Turn straight onto Canal Drive Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·Canal Drive Southeast
4
Turn left onto Ocean Lake Way Northeast
0.2 mi·33 sec·Ocean Lake Way Northeast
5
Turn right onto Point Brown Avenue Northeast
1.6 mi·3 min·Point Brown Avenue Northeast
6
Enter roundabout onto Point Brown Avenue Northeast
136 ft·3 sec·Point Brown Avenue Northeast
7
Continue on Point Brown Avenue Northeast
0.7 mi·1 min·Point Brown Avenue Northeast
8
At end of road, turn right onto WA 115
0.3 mi·52 sec·Damon Road
9
Continue on WA 115
1.9 mi·3 min·State Route 115
10
Turn right onto WA 109
15 mi·21 min·State Route 109
11
Continue on WA 109
1.4 mi·3 min·West Emerson Avenue
12
Turn right onto WA 109
2.9 mi·7 min·Simpson Avenue
13
Turn slight right onto US 101
0.4 mi·1 min·North Park Street
14
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
15
Enter roundabout onto South F Street
21 ft·0 sec·South F Street
16
Continue on South F Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·South F Street
17
Turn left onto US 12
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Heron Street
18
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
19
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
20
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
21
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
22
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
24
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
26
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.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
31
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
33
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
34
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
35
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
36
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
37
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3h 19m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to avoid unnecessary stops. While there's one recommended stop, you can adjust this based on your needs. Pay attention to traffic, especially as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area, as this can impact your travel time on I 5.
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 71.3 miles from Ocean Shores, WA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 31 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 45m
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 Ocean Shores, 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 Ocean Shores, WA
This is one driving day of about 142.5 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Ocean Shores, 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 49.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 140.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast
At end of road, turn left onto Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
140.7 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
$29.82 one way
$59.65 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.28
$62.55
premium
$5.77
$32.36
$64.72
diesel
$5.61
$31.46
$62.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.96
$6.84
Efficient EV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
EV Truck/SUV
57
0
$19.95
$9.12
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ocean Shores, WA
Late night
in Ocean Shores on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Shelton, WA
71 mi in
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
5 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 19m 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 137.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 49.5 miles on I 5. The primary roads include I 5, WA 8, and Olympic Highway, suggesting a mix of interstate travel and well-maintained state highways. The overall feel is one of steady progress, designed for efficient travel across the state. Be prepared for typical highway driving conditions for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast.
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 25 significant decision points across 142.5 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 0.3 miles (Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 102.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 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.
On the drive from Ocean Shores, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
122.8 mi in|~2h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 142.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.5 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 0.3 miles (Mount Olympus Avenue Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 102.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 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 3.3 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.
