How far is Kirkland, WA from La Center, WA?
The driving distance from Kirkland, WA to La Center, WA is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kirkland and La Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland and La Center.
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1
Start on 1st Street
122 m · 16 sec · 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
538 ft · 17 sec · 7th Avenue
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3
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
1704 ft · 52 sec · 7th Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
600 ft · 20 sec · 7th Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 6th Street
137 m · 14 sec · 6th Street
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6
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
2498 ft · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 South: Renton
1941 ft · 50 sec
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8
Merge slight left
17.8 mi · 22 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland
1446 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left
20.3 mi · 25 min
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11
Keep slight right
117.1 mi · 2 hr 13 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward La Center, Cowlitz Reservation
1508 ft · 37 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Northwest 319th Street
88 m · 6 sec · Northwest 319th Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 319th Street
144 m · 12 sec · Northwest 319th Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Northwest La Center Road
47 m · 3 sec · Northwest La Center Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest La Center Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Northwest La Center Road
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17
Continue on Northwest Pacific Highway
619 ft · 21 sec · Northwest Pacific Highway
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West 4th Street
7 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto West 4th Street
159 m · 20 sec · West 4th Street
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20
Turn right
18 m · 4 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kirkland and La Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 South
Keep slight right
117 mi · 02h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kirkland and Mostly Sunny near La Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kirkland to La Center?
The road trip is about 159.5 miles (256.7 km) and usually takes 03h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tenino is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Kirkland and 79.8 miles from La Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.46 one way or $58.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kirkland and Mostly Sunny near La Center.
Stop Ideas Near Tenino
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Lacey - City Hall Parking
Olympia City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tenino.
Centennial Station
Centralia station
Tacoma Dome Station
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kirkland and La Center. Straight-line distance: 127.57 mi (205.31 km).
#1 Kirkland
A city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 95,431 |
| Coordinates | 47.6814900, -122.2087400 |
| Altitude | 47 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Center
City in Ballard County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 3,602 |
| Coordinates | 45.8623400, -122.6703800 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Center (-122.67038, 45.86234)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 257 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $29.46 | $58.92 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $31.34 | $62.68 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $32.49 | $64.98 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $30.78 | $61.56 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.