How far is Mercer Island, WA from Kirkland, WA?
The driving distance from Mercer Island, WA to Kirkland, WA is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 7.7 miles (12.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 17m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The most populous city in Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mercer Island and Kirkland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mercer Island and Kirkland.
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1
Start on Southeast 42nd Street
539 ft · 28 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto 86th Avenue Southeast
1325 ft · 49 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast
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3
Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street
1344 ft · 44 sec · Southeast 40th Street
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4
Turn left onto Gallagher Hill Road
1478 ft · 41 sec · Gallagher Hill Road
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5
Continue on Southeast 36th Street
2209 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East
1819 ft · 46 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto East Channel Bridge
2894 ft · 41 sec · East Channel Bridge
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405: Everett, Renton
2502 ft · 1 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Everett
3017 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 8 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
2063 ft · 50 sec
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12
Keep slight left
55 m · 7 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Northeast 85th Street
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14
Turn right onto 6th Street
137 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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15
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
542 ft · 16 sec · 7th Avenue
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16
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
1699 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
588 ft · 19 sec · 7th Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 1st Street
122 m · 11 sec · 1st Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercer Island and Kirkland.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 405 North
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Kirkland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mercer Island to Kirkland?
The road trip is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km) and usually takes 00h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bellevue is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.7 miles from Mercer Island and 5.8 miles from Kirkland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 7.7 miles (12.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.09 one way or $4.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Kirkland.
Stop Ideas Near Bellevue
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Renton City Human Services
Renton City Hall
Renton Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bellevue.
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tukwila station
Edmonds station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mercer Island and Kirkland. Straight-line distance: 7.69 mi (12.37 km).
#1 Mercer Island
Island in the United States of America
| Population | 25,912 |
| Coordinates | 47.5706500, -122.2220700 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| 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: 18 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $2.09 | $4.19 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $2.23 | $4.45 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $2.31 | $4.62 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $2.19 | $4.37 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.