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Create accountDrive Time
1h 23m
Distance
64.3 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Connecting Bellevue to Olympia is a straightforward 64.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. Since this trip is entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-405 and I-5, making this a highly efficient transit rather than a multi-day vacation. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit needs comfortably. Because the route is short and direct, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay, offering you maximum flexibility for your travel plans.
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
32.2 miles from Bellevue, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. The road’s personality is defined by utility, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 48.3 miles along I-5. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining consistent highway speeds before transitioning into the local streets of Olympia via 14th Avenue Southeast. While the journey is efficient, be prepared for the typical rhythm of interstate driving. This is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you from the Bellevue area to the state capital with minimal deviation.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 64.3 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Northeast 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 405 South: Renton
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 48.3 mi | 1h |
| I 405 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| 14th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 4th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Way South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bellevue Way Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 108th Avenue Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, WA and Olympia, WA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn right onto Bellevue Way Northeast
Turn right onto Northeast 2nd Street
Turn left onto 108th Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Continue on 14th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Way South
Arrive at destination
Given the 1 hour and 23 minute duration, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your leisure without needing to schedule frequent stops. Aim to check local traffic reports before you leave, as the heavy reliance on I-5 means congestion can impact your travel time significantly. While there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Bellevue is a smart way to manage your $14 fuel budget. Take advantage of the route's simplicity by planning your departure to avoid peak commuting hours, which will ensure a much smoother transition once you exit the highway and navigate toward 14th Avenue Southeast.
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.
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 64.3 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 42m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olympia, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 64.3 miles and 1h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.2 mi from Bellevue, WA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 64.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Bellevue, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.50 one way
$26.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $14.09 | $28.19 |
| premium | $5.77 | $14.61 | $29.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.29 | $28.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.09 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.12 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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