Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
49.4 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stanwood, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
This 49.4-mile drive from Stanwood, WA, to Kirkland, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Given its short duration and minimal fuel cost of around $10, it’s an ideal day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You'll primarily be on familiar interstates like I-5 and I-405, with a brief stint on State Route 532. This route offers a practical way to travel between two points within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, emphasizing efficiency over extensive sightseeing.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 29.3 mi | 35m |
| I 405 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| State Route 532 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| 268th Street Northwest | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Stanwood, WA and Kirkland, WA.
Start on 102nd Avenue Northwest
Turn left onto WA 532
Continue on WA 532
Continue on WA 532
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Merge onto I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Take the exit
Turn right onto Northeast 85th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Continue on 7th Avenue
Turn right onto 1st Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from Stanwood, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 48.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$10.34 one way
$20.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $10.84 | $21.69 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.91 | $21.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Stanwood on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 91% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 29.3 miles on I-5, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While much of the journey is focused on smooth interstate travel, the transition onto I-405 will introduce you to the dynamic traffic patterns often found around major metropolitan areas. The character of the drive is largely defined by its speed and directness, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
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 6.3 miles in near I 5.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.3 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Stanwood, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Renton along the way.
Renton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 49.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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