How far is Kelso, WA from Kirkland, WA?

The driving distance from Kelso, WA to Kirkland, WA is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111 miles (178.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
134.17 mi
02h 14m
Flight
111.06 mi
178.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kelso.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.06 mi
Kilometers
178.73 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
134.17 mi
Kilometers
215.92 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 02h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kirkland
Wed, Apr 22, 8:27 PM PDT
Return by in Kelso
Wed, Apr 22, 10:41 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kelso
2026-04-22T18:13
Arrive Kirkland
Wed, Apr 22, 8:27 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:02 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kelso
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Olympia
WA

The capital of Washington state.

From Kelso
66.9 mi
01h 07m
To Kirkland
67.2 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kelso and Kirkland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kelso and Kirkland.

  1. 1

    Start on North 4th Avenue

    10 m · 6 sec · North 4th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cowlitz Way

    532 ft · 13 sec · Cowlitz Way

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Pacific Avenue

    900 ft · 25 sec · North Pacific Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on North Kelso Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Kelso Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1486 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    92.4 mi · 1 hr 46 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    20.7 mi · 26 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue

    136 m · 11 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue

    2062 ft · 50 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    17.4 mi · 22 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland

    2063 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    55 m · 7 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Northeast 85th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    137 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 7th Avenue

    542 ft · 16 sec · 7th Avenue

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    1699 ft · 49 sec · 7th Avenue

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    588 ft · 19 sec · 7th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 1st Street

    122 m · 11 sec · 1st Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kelso and Kirkland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Kelso Avenue
114 mi · 85%
I 405 North
17.8 mi · 13%
Northeast 85th Street
1.1 mi · 1%
7th Avenue
0.54 mi
North Pacific Avenue
0.17 mi
Cowlitz Way
0.1 mi
Longest Stretch

North Kelso Avenue

Merge slight left

92.4 mi · 01h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.2 mi
111 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Olympia
01h 07m from Kelso
Leave By
2:02 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Kelso and Light Rain Likely near Kirkland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kelso to Kirkland?

The road trip is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Olympia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.9 miles from Kelso and 67.2 miles from Kirkland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 111 miles (178.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 2:02 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.75 one way or $49.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Kelso and Light Rain Likely near Kirkland.

Stop Ideas Near Olympia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Olympia and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 2.1 mi away

City of Lacey - City Hall Parking

Olympia , WA
402 College St SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 1.4 mi away

Olympia Urban Forestry

Olympia , WA
601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Forestry service,City government office
Olympia City Hall
Meeting point 1.4 mi away

Olympia City Hall

Olympia , WA
601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Rating 3.2/5 17 reviews City Hall,City government office,Government
Lacey Community Center
Nearby stop 3.5 mi away

Lacey Community Center

Olympia , WA
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Rating 4.5/5 280 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Olympia.

RAIL

Centennial Station

10 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Centralia station

36 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

43 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

68 mi away
7301 South 158th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kelso and Kirkland. Straight-line distance: 111.06 mi (178.73 km).

Kelso

#1 Kelso

Town and parish in Scottish Borders, Scotland

Population12,438
Coordinates46.1467800, -122.9084400
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Kirkland

#2 Kirkland

A city in King County, Washington.

Population95,431
Coordinates47.6814900, -122.2087400
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
Start: North 4th Avenue (-122.908521, 46.146794)
End: 1st Street (-122.208447, 47.681494)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 216 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.73 gal
17.92 L · about $24.75
Round trip
$49.50
9.46 gal · 35.84 L
Estimated CO2
42 kg one way
Round trip: 84.1 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $24.75 $49.50
Mid-grade $5.57 $26.33 $52.66
Premium $5.77 $27.30 $54.59
Diesel $5.47 $25.86 $51.72

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Kelso and Kirkland. The current time is 18:13:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.