Origin
Bellevue, WA
Late night in Bellevue on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, WA to Chico, WA
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
70.7 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chico, WA
Boko Shots
Trip Overview
This 70.7-mile drive from Bellevue to Chico, WA, is an efficient trip that can be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Primarily utilizing WA 16, I-5, and I-405, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward, single-day journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Pacific Coast region. The drive offers a focused highway experience, suitable for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated route to their destination without the need for overnight stays.
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
35.4 miles from Bellevue, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 95% of this 70.7-mile journey. The route features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 28.3 miles on WA 16, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. While primarily interstate, the transition between WA 16, I-5, and I-405 ensures you're navigating varied highway environments. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a functional route designed for efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Northeast 4th Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 70.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Northeast 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Northeast 4th Street
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 405 South: Renton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: Renton
8
36.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
36.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
7
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Chico Way, Chico
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bellevue, WA to Chico, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Bremerton
36.3 mi in
|
~47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 16 | 28.3 mi | 36m |
| I 5 | 21.6 mi | 27m |
| I 405 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 3 Northwest | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Chico Way Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 4th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bellevue Way Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 28.3 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, WA and Chico, WA.
1
Start on this road
45 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Main Street
150 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto Bellevue Way Northeast
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Bellevue Way Northeast
4
Turn right onto Northeast 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Northeast 2nd Street
5
Turn left onto 108th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
108th Avenue Northeast
6
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast 4th Street
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 405
13 mi
·
16 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 16
28 mi
·
36 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on WA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Chico Way Northwest
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Chico Way Northwest
18
Arrive at destination
Chico Way Northwest
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this drive offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps avoiding peak commute times around the Seattle area if your timing aligns. With no designated stops, you're free to pull over as needed, though the longest stretch without a major highway change is 28.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is low at $15, it's always wise to fuel up before embarking on the 70.7-mile trip.
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 35.4 miles from Bellevue, WA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.3 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 70.7 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.4 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chico, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, WA
This is one driving day of about 70.7 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellevue, 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 WA 16 for about 28.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.4 mi from Bellevue, WA · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 70.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Bellevue, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chico, WA
The final approach into Chico, 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 Chico, 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
$14.80 one way
$29.59 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.52 | $31.04 |
| premium | $5.77 | $16.06 | $32.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Chico, WA
Late night in Chico on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
2 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 33m 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 Bellevue, WA to Chico, WA covers 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 16, I 5, I 405. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.4 miles from Bellevue, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.80 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 70.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Northeast 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bellevue, WA to Chico, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
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