How far is Yelm, WA from Kirkland, WA?

The driving distance from Yelm, WA to Kirkland, WA is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 54.4 miles (87.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m 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
70.41 mi
01h 30m
Flight
54.38 mi
87.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Yelm.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
54.38 mi
Kilometers
87.51 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.41 mi
Kilometers
113.31 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kirkland
Tue, May 5, 7:05 AM PDT
Return by in Yelm
Tue, May 5, 8:35 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Yelm
2026-05-05T05:34
Arrive Kirkland
Tue, May 5, 7:05 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:28 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Yelm
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
Milton
WA

City in Washington, USA

From Yelm
35.1 mi
00h 45m
To Kirkland
35.3 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph WSW
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    17 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    50 m · 8 sec · North 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Yelm Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast

    1 km · 1 min · Killion Road Southeast

  5. 5

    Turn left onto WA 510 Alternate

    1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast

    39 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Yelm Highway Southeast

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    30 m · 2 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    1106 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Reservation Road Southeast

    7 m · 1 sec · Reservation Road Southeast

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle

    1558 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    16.4 mi · 21 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    20.7 mi · 26 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue

    136 m · 11 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue

    2062 ft · 50 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    17.4 mi · 22 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland

    2063 ft · 50 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    55 m · 7 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Northeast 85th Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    137 m · 18 sec · 6th Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto 7th Avenue

    542 ft · 16 sec · 7th Avenue

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    1699 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue

    588 ft · 19 sec · 7th Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 1st Street

    122 m · 11 sec · 1st Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
2 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
37.4 mi · 53%
I 405 North
17.8 mi · 25%
Yelm Highway Southeast
4.27 mi · 6%
Reservation Road Southeast
2.75 mi · 4%
Nisqually Road Southwest
2.12 mi · 3%
Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.65 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Keep slight right

20.7 mi · 00h 26m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
54.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Milton
00h 45m from Yelm
Leave By
3:28 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Yelm and Sunny near Kirkland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Milton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.1 miles from Yelm and 35.3 miles from Kirkland.

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

The direct path is about 54.4 miles (87.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 3:28 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.98 one way or $25.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Yelm and Sunny near Kirkland.

Stop Ideas Near Milton

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 Milton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 5 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
City Hall Park
Scenic stop 13.8 mi away

City Hall Park

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 4.6/5 78 reviews Tourist attraction,Playground,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 6.5 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 Normandy Park City Hall
Meeting point 13.8 mi away

City of Normandy Park City Hall

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

8 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

24 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

39 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

41 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Yelm and Kirkland. Straight-line distance: 54.38 mi (87.51 km).

Yelm

#1 Yelm

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Population9,591
Coordinates46.9420400, -122.6059600
Altitude105
CountryUnited States
Kirkland

#2 Kirkland

A city in King County, Washington.

Population95,431
Coordinates47.6814900, -122.2087400
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.605868, 46.942118)
End: 1st Street (-122.208447, 47.681494)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.4 L · about $12.98
Round trip
$25.96
4.96 gal · 18.8 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $12.98 $25.96
Mid-grade $5.57 $13.81 $27.61
Premium $5.77 $14.31 $28.62
Diesel $5.47 $13.56 $27.12

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Yelm and Kirkland. The current time is 05:34:20.

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.