How far is Kirkland, WA from University Place, WA?

The driving distance from Kirkland, WA to University Place, WA is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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
46.33 mi
01h 05m
Flight
34.69 mi
55.83 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
34.69 mi
Kilometers
55.83 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.33 mi
Kilometers
74.56 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University Place
Thu, Apr 30, 8:49 AM PDT
Return by in Kirkland
Thu, Apr 30, 9:55 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kirkland
2026-04-30T07:44
Arrive University Place
Thu, Apr 30, 8:49 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:20 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
Des Moines
WA

City in Washington

From Kirkland
23.1 mi
00h 32m
To University Place
23.2 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph N
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland and University Place.

  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

    Keep slight right

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton

    3005 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Union Avenue

    2518 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Fircrest, Center Street

    1958 ft · 41 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    156 m · 26 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Center Street

    897 ft · 24 sec · Center Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Regents Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 4 min · Regents Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on 27th Street West

    1 mi · 2 min · 27th Street West

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Grandview Drive West

    44 m · 5 sec · Grandview Drive West

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grandview Drive West

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
21.9 mi · 47%
I 405 South
18.1 mi · 39%
WA 16 West
2.07 mi · 4%
Regents Boulevard
1.34 mi · 3%
27th Street West
1.04 mi · 2%
7th Avenue
0.54 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
01h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
34.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Des Moines
00h 32m from Kirkland
Leave By
4:20 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Kirkland and Mostly Sunny near University Place.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kirkland to University Place?

The road trip is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?

Des Moines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from Kirkland and 23.2 miles from University Place.

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

The direct path is about 34.7 miles (55.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 4:20 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.58 one way or $17.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kirkland and Mostly Sunny near University Place.

Stop Ideas Near Des Moines

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 Des Moines and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 13 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 5.2 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 8 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 Covington
Meeting point 9 mi away

City of Covington

Covington , WA
16720 SE 271st St, Covington, WA 98042
Rating 4.2/5 5 reviews City Hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Des Moines.

RAIL

Tukwila station

9 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

19 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

King Street Station

22 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

24 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kirkland and University Place. Straight-line distance: 34.69 mi (55.83 km).

Kirkland

#1 Kirkland

A city in King County, Washington.

Population95,431
Coordinates47.6814900, -122.2087400
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
University Place

#2 University Place

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Population34,090
Coordinates47.2356500, -122.5504000
Altitude63
CountryUnited States
Start: Kirkland (-122.20874, 47.68149)
End: University Place (-122.5504, 47.23565)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.64 gal
6.19 L · about $8.58
Round trip
$17.16
3.28 gal · 12.38 L
Estimated CO2
14.6 kg one way
Round trip: 29.1 kg / 64 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $8.58 $17.16
Mid-grade $5.57 $9.13 $18.26
Premium $5.77 $9.46 $18.93
Diesel $5.47 $8.97 $17.93

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Kirkland and University Place. The current time is 07:44:39.

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.