Origin
Bainbridge Island, WA
Late night in Bainbridge Island on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bainbridge Island, WA to Seattle, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
46m
Distance
10.5 mi
17 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bainbridge Island, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crossing from Bainbridge Island to Seattle is a quick, 10.5-mile journey that fits perfectly into a single day. You will spend about 46 minutes completing this trip, which relies heavily on the Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry rather than traditional highways. Because the route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you won't encounter major terrain shifts, but the transition from island life to the city is distinct. With a fuel budget of just $2, this is an incredibly economical way to travel between these two points. It is a straightforward trip that serves as a practical link for commuters or visitors looking to explore both sides of the water without needing an overnight stay.
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
5.2 miles from Bainbridge Island, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that feels vastly different from a typical highway commute. With 0% of this route classified as highway, your journey is defined by the 8.5-mile stretch spent on the water via the Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry. Once you dock, the character shifts immediately to urban navigation through Alaskan Way South and Spring Street. You won't find any long, monotonous stretches here, as the route requires focused maneuvering through local streets once you reach the mainland. It is an engaging, low-speed transit experience that prioritizes nautical travel over asphalt distance.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry is the longest continuous segment at about 8.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Winslow Way East.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Winslow Way East): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (WA 305 / Olympic Drive Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (WA 519 / Alaskan Way South): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Winslow Way East
Turn left onto Winslow Way East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WA 305 / Olympic Drive Southeast
Turn right onto WA 305 / Olympic Drive Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
WA 519 / Alaskan Way South
Turn right onto WA 519 / Alaskan Way South
Navigation decision point
6
10 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry | 8.5 mi | 37m |
| Alaskan Way South | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Spring Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Winslow Way East | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Colman Dock | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Olympic Drive Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry
— 8.5 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bainbridge Island, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Madison Avenue North
490 ft
·
24 sec
·
Madison Avenue North
2
Turn left onto Winslow Way East
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Winslow Way East
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto WA 305
526 ft
·
16 sec
·
Olympic Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto WA 305
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal
5
Continue on WA 305
8.5 mi
·
37 min
·
Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry
6
Continue on WA 305
157 ft
·
9 sec
·
Colman Dock
7
Continue on WA 305
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Colman Dock
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto WA 519
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Alaskan Way South
9
Continue on WA 519
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alaskan Way South
10
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
13
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 46-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around ferry schedules. You won't need to worry about pacing stops since there are 0 planned stops along the way, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind, though verify current ferry fares as they are separate from your vehicle's gas costs. My best advice for this specific route is to check the ferry departure times well in advance, as the water crossing is the most significant variable in your travel time. Embracing the ferry as the main leg of your journey will make the transition into the city much smoother.
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 5.2 miles from Bainbridge Island, WA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.5 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 10.5 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.2 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bainbridge Island, 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 Bainbridge Island, WA
This is one driving day of about 10.5 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bainbridge Island, 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 Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry for about 8.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.2 mi from Bainbridge Island, WA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.2 miles from Bainbridge Island, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Seattle, WA
The final approach into Seattle, 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 Seattle, 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
$2.20 one way
$4.40 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $2.30 | $4.61 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.38 | $4.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.10 | $0.50 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.92 | $0.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Seattle, WA
Late night in Seattle on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
4 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
46m 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 Bainbridge Island, WA to Seattle, WA covers 10.5 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Seattle–Bainbridge Ferry, Alaskan Way South, Spring Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.2 miles from Bainbridge Island, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.20 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Winslow Way East): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (WA 305 / Olympic Drive Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (WA 519 / Alaskan Way South): Navigation decision point.
The route from Bainbridge Island, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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