Origin
Arlington, WA
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, WA to Bellingham, WA
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
50.3 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, WA
Dominik Gryzbon
Bellingham, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Arlington to Bellingham, you are in for a straightforward journey through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Spanning 50.3 miles, this drive typically takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily utilize I-5, WA 530, and East Holly Street to complete the transit. With an estimated fuel cost of only $11, it is a very budget-friendly excursion. Because the duration is quite short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you choose to spend extra time exploring the destination. This route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to move between these two coastal hubs with minimal hassle.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.2 miles from Arlington, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 95% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the 50.3-mile distance, as the drive is dominated by a 44.2-mile stretch on I-5. While the transition from local roads like WA 530 onto the interstate provides a brief shift in environment, the overall character of the route remains functional and direct. Do not expect technical winding roads or significant rural bypasses; instead, prepare for a steady, interstate-focused experience. Keeping a constant speed is easy on this stretch, as the road architecture is built to prioritize getting you to your destination quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 44.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Division Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Division Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.3 miles (WA 530): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (WA 530): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Division Street
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
WA 530
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
WA 530
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
48.4 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward Lakeway Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 44.2 mi | 50m |
| WA 530 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| East Holly Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Prospect Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Division Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| King Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 44.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft
·
2 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on East Division Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Division Street
3
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Division Street
4
Continue on West Division Street
345 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Division Street
5
Continue on WA 530
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 530
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
42 ft
·
0 sec
·
WA 530
7
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
WA 530
8
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
58 ft
·
1 sec
·
WA 530
9
Continue on WA 530
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
WA 530
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
11
Merge onto I 5
44 mi
·
50 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
13
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
14
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
15
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
16
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
17
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
18
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
19
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over an hour, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure schedule. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops given the short duration of the trip, but it is wise to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting I-5 to keep your $11 budget estimate accurate. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on the interstate, stay alert for typical highway traffic patterns, especially as you approach the Bellingham area. Use this quick transit time to your advantage by planning your arrival for the best time to explore the city. A great tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your GPS as you transition off the interstate onto East Holly Street to ensure a smooth arrival in Bellingham.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25.2 miles from Arlington, WA, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 50.3 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.2 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellingham, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, WA
This is one driving day of about 50.3 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 44.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.2 mi from Arlington, WA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.2 miles from Arlington, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bellingham, WA
The final approach into Bellingham, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bellingham, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.56 one way
$21.11 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $11.02 | $22.05 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.43 | $22.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.17 | $22.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.04 | $3.22 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Bellingham, WA
Evening in Bellingham on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 50.3 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 530, East Holly Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.2 miles from Arlington, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Division Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.3 miles (WA 530): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (WA 530): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Arlington, WA to Bellingham, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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