Zillah, WA to Kirkland, WA is 162.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 6 minutes via US 97 and I-82, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive covers 162.4 miles entirely within Washington state, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, this route is budget-friendly for a quick transit between locations.
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
81.2 miles from Zillah, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 82
51 mi
56m
I 405
6.3 mi
7m
Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
1m
1st Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Meyers Road
0.3 mi
<1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zillah, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·1st Avenue
2
Continue on Meyers Road
0.3 mi·42 sec·Meyers Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Merge onto I 82; US 12
20 mi·22 min·I 82; US 12
5
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
6.3 mi·7 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
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours and 6 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any minor traffic delays as you approach Kirkland. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 101.4 miles on US 97, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on this longer segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, keeping your tank full will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey.
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 81.2 miles from Zillah, WA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m
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 Zillah, 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 Zillah, WA
This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Zillah, 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 US 97 for about 101.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.2 and 160.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
52.2 mi into trip|~59m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
8
153.6 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
153.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
5
154.3 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
160.6 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
$33.99 one way
$67.98 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$35.64
$71.29
premium
$5.77
$36.88
$73.76
diesel
$5.61
$35.86
$71.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.74
$10.39
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Zillah, WA
Late night
in Zillah on Sunday
Local time
4:42 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Late night
in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
4:42 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
3 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 6m 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 156.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous 101.4-mile segment on US 97. The character of the drive is consistent, emphasizing speed and directness rather than winding scenic byways. Prepare for a steady pace as you navigate these well-maintained highways, making it a predictable and efficient transit.
98% 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: 101.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.2 miles in near US 97.
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 14 significant decision points across 162.4 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: at 52.2 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Zillah, WA and Kirkland, WA, road signs point toward Everett and Bellevue.
Everett
153.6 mi in|~2h 52m
Bellevue
153.8 mi in|~2h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m 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 101.4 miles on US 97. 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 52.2 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
