If you are planning to travel from Olympia to Kirkland, expect a straightforward 69-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on I-5 and I-405 to navigate the Pacific Coast region. Given the manageable distance and time, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the trip. Because you are staying within Washington, the transition between these two cities remains consistent in terms of regional climate and culture.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.5 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
47.9 mi
59m
I 405
17.4 mi
21m
Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Union Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
1m
Plum Street Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 47.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on Capitol Way South
396 ft·12 sec·Capitol Way South
2
Turn right onto Union Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·Union Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto Plum Street Southeast
0.2 mi·18 sec·Plum Street Southeast
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 5
27 mi·34 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
12
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
14
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
15
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
16
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
17
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
18
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 69-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak congestion. Because there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing extended breaks. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-5 and I-405 means you should monitor real-time traffic reports, as highway conditions can change quickly in this corridor. When planning your budget, setting aside $14 for fuel is a safe estimate, though keeping a little extra on hand for fluctuating gas prices is always a smart move. Focus on steady pacing through the longer I-5 segments to ensure a smooth transition into Kirkland.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.5 miles from Olympia, WA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.9 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 15 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
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 Olympia, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olympia, WA
This is one driving day of about 69 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Olympia, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 47.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 67.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
28.6 mi into trip|~37m 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
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
49.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
$14.44 one way
$28.88 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$15.14
$30.29
premium
$5.77
$15.67
$31.34
diesel
$5.61
$15.23
$30.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.7
0
$7.24
$3.31
Efficient EV
17.3
0
$6.04
$2.76
EV Truck/SUV
27.6
0
$9.66
$4.42
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 13, 2026
Origin
Olympia, WA
Late night
in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
1:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Light Rain
WSW 14 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 1:02PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 1:02PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
1:08 AM
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
7 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
1h 30m 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.
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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 64.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 47.9 miles while cruising along I-5. The experience is primarily an interstate commute, prioritizing speed and direct access over winding backroads. As you transition from the I-5 corridor onto I-405 and eventually Northeast 85th Street, the road environment shifts to accommodate higher-density traffic patterns. Prepare for a steady, high-speed pace that characterizes the main arteries connecting these two Washington hubs.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.4 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
314 ft88 ft
Total Climb
218 ft
Total Descent
226 ft
Highest Point
314 ft
~24.6 mi in
Elevation Range
226 ft
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 Olympia, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
49.3 mi in|~1h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 69 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.9 miles on I 5. 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 Kirkland, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.3 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kirkland, WA before heading back.
