How far is La Center, WA from Kirkland, WA?
The driving distance from La Center, WA to Kirkland, WA is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.6 miles (205.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 02h 45m.
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.
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Center and Kirkland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Center and Kirkland.
-
1
Start on the route
18 m · 10 sec
-
2
Turn left onto East 4th Street
527 ft · 18 sec · East 4th Street
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Pacific Highway
36 m · 2 sec · Northwest Pacific Highway
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Pacific Highway
631 ft · 22 sec · Northwest Pacific Highway
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5
Continue on Northwest La Center Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Northwest La Center Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward I 5 North: Seattle
8 m · 1 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout onto I 5 North: Seattle
1729 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left
116.3 mi · 2 hr 12 min
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9
Keep slight right
20.7 mi · 26 min
-
10
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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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
2062 ft · 50 sec
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12
Merge slight left
17.4 mi · 22 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
2063 ft · 50 sec
-
14
Keep slight left
55 m · 7 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Northeast 85th Street
-
16
Turn right onto 6th Street
137 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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17
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
542 ft · 16 sec · 7th Avenue
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18
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
1699 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
588 ft · 19 sec · 7th Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 1st Street
122 m · 11 sec · 1st Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Center 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.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
116 mi · 02h 12m
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.
Light Rain leaving La Center 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 La Center to Kirkland?
The road trip is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Tenino is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from La Center and 79.7 miles from Kirkland.
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 31.6 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 1:00 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.41 one way or $58.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain around La Center and Light Rain Likely near Kirkland.
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 La Center and Kirkland. Straight-line distance: 127.57 mi (205.31 km).
#1 La Center
City in Ballard County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 3,602 |
| Coordinates | 45.8623400, -122.6703800 |
| Altitude | 32 |
| 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: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 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 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $31.29 | $62.57 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $32.43 | $64.87 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $30.72 | $61.45 |
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.