How far is Elma, WA from Kirkland, WA?
The driving distance from Elma, WA to Kirkland, WA is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elma and Kirkland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elma and Kirkland.
-
1
Start on the route
24 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn right onto South 7th Street
56 m · 10 sec · South 7th Street
-
3
Turn right onto West Main Street
1317 ft · 28 sec · West Main Street
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4
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
1519 ft · 35 sec · South 3rd Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward US 12 East: Centralia, Olympia
1244 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Olympic Highway
1982 ft · 28 sec · Olympic Highway
-
7
Continue straight
21.1 mi · 26 min
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8
Merge slight left
5.4 mi · 7 min
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9
Keep slight left
2818 ft · 53 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
28.8 mi · 36 min
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11
Keep slight right
20.7 mi · 26 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
136 m · 11 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
2062 ft · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left
17.4 mi · 22 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
2063 ft · 50 sec
-
16
Keep slight left
55 m · 7 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Northeast 85th Street
-
18
Turn right onto 6th Street
137 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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19
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
542 ft · 16 sec · 7th Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
1699 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue
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21
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
588 ft · 19 sec · 7th Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 1st Street
122 m · 11 sec · 1st Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elma and Kirkland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Olympic Highway
Merge slight left
28.8 mi · 00h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Elma and Sunny near Kirkland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elma to Kirkland?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.8 km) and usually takes 01h 50m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lakewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.6 miles from Elma and 48.8 miles from Kirkland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.1 miles (117.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.00 one way or $36.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elma and Sunny near Kirkland.
Stop Ideas Near Lakewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
City of Puyallup
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lakewood.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elma and Kirkland. Straight-line distance: 73.15 mi (117.73 km).
#1 Elma
City in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
| Population | 3,378 |
| Coordinates | 47.0034300, -123.4087700 |
| Altitude | 15 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kirkland
A city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 95,431 |
| Coordinates | 47.6814900, -122.2087400 |
| Altitude | 47 |
| Country | United States |
End: 1st Street (-122.208447, 47.681494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $19.15 | $38.30 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $19.85 | $39.70 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $18.81 | $37.61 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · Apr 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.