How far is Kirkland, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Kirkland, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 41.9 miles (67.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.6 miles (50.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m 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
41.89 mi
00h 50m
Flight
31.59 mi
50.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kirkland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.59 mi
Kilometers
50.84 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.89 mi
Kilometers
67.42 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Wed, Apr 22, 8:03 PM PDT
Return by in Kirkland
Wed, Apr 22, 8:54 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kirkland
2026-04-22T19:12
Arrive Tacoma
Wed, Apr 22, 8:03 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kirkland
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
SeaTac
WA

Airport in SeaTac, Washington, USA

From Kirkland
20.9 mi
00h 25m
To Tacoma
21 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SSW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Street

    122 m · 16 sec · 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 7th Avenue

    538 ft · 17 sec · 7th Avenue

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    1704 ft · 52 sec · 7th Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    600 ft · 20 sec · 7th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    137 m · 14 sec · 6th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street

    2498 ft · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 South: Renton

    1941 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    17.8 mi · 22 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland

    1446 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    20.3 mi · 25 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

    785 ft · 19 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station

    102 m · 8 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center

    2087 ft · 51 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight right

    1554 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

    1048 ft · 31 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on South 15th Street

    1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

    1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
47.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
20.6 mi · 49%
I 405 South
18.1 mi · 43%
I 705 North
0.75 mi · 2%
7th Avenue
0.54 mi · 1%
Northeast 85th Street
0.47 mi · 1%
A Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

20.3 mi · 00h 25m

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
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.3 mi
31.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
SeaTac
00h 25m from Kirkland
Leave By
4:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41.9 miles (67.4 km) and usually takes 00h 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?

SeaTac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.9 miles from Kirkland and 21 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 31.6 miles (50.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 4:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.74 one way or $15.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near SeaTac

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 SeaTac and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 3.3 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 9.6 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Auburn
Meeting point 9.6 mi away

City of Auburn

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 3.9/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 10.2 mi away

Auburn Community & Event Center

Auburn , WA
Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
Rating 4.5/5 84 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tukwila station

4 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

17 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

19 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

25 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kirkland and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 31.59 mi (50.84 km).

Kirkland

#1 Kirkland

A city in King County, Washington.

Population95,431
Coordinates47.6814900, -122.2087400
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Street (-122.208447, 47.681494)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 67 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.48 gal
5.6 L · about $7.74
Round trip
$15.49
2.96 gal · 11.2 L
Estimated CO2
13.2 kg one way
Round trip: 26.3 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $7.74 $15.49
Mid-grade $5.57 $8.24 $16.48
Premium $5.77 $8.54 $17.08
Diesel $5.47 $8.09 $16.18

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 Kirkland and Tacoma. The current time is 19:12:58.

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.