Origin
Bellingham, WA
Evening in Bellingham on Sunday
Local time
8:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellingham, WA to Sammamish, WA
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
90.4 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
William Jacobs
Sammamish, WA
nicholas hatherly
Trip Overview
Spanning 90.4 miles, this drive from Bellingham to Sammamish is a straightforward trek through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 57 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the journey. Since the route is entirely contained within the same state, you won't need to worry about adjusting for regional differences or long-distance travel fatigue. Overall, it serves as a reliable connection between two key areas, offering a simple transit experience for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via I-5, I-405, and Redmond Way, experiencing a mix of high-speed interstate commuting and local transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-5, where you will cover 69.6 miles of the total distance. Because it is a highway-focused drive, the personality of the road is functional and direct rather than winding or technical. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the journey, as the route transitions from the interstate system into the local street network near the end of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 69.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 around 0.7 miles in near West Champion Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 90.4 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 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Champion Street
Turn left onto West Champion Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
83.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
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 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Towns Along This Route
Between Bellingham, WA and Sammamish, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Kirkland.
Renton
71.5 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Kirkland
83.6 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 69.6 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 405 | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| Redmond Way | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Magnolia Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 69.6 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Sammamish, WA.
1
Start on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
2
Continue on Prospect Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Prospect Street
3
Turn left onto West Champion Street
352 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Champion Street
4
Continue on West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Magnolia Street
5
Turn right onto Ellis Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ellis Street
6
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Lakeway Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
70 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on Redmond Way
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Redmond Way
Use the none lane.
15
Turn slight right
346 ft
·
14 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 57 minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. While the route is designed to be completed in a single session with zero planned stops, keep in mind that I-5 and I-405 can experience varying traffic levels depending on the time of day. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuter hours will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the 90.4-mile trek. Be sure to fuel up before you head out to comfortably cover the $19 estimated cost. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the high-speed I-405 corridor onto the local Redmond Way, as the change in speed and road type happens quickly as you arrive in Sammamish.
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 45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.6 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 56m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sammamish, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, WA
This is one driving day of about 90.4 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellingham, 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 69.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from Bellingham, WA · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.6 miles.
Arriving in Sammamish, WA
The final approach into Sammamish, 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 Sammamish, 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
$18.97 one way
$37.95 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $19.81 | $39.63 |
| premium | $5.77 | $20.54 | $41.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.08 | $40.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Sammamish, WA
Evening in Sammamish on Sunday
Local time
8:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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 57m 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 Bellingham, WA to Sammamish, WA covers 90.4 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, Redmond Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.97 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 12 significant decision points across 90.4 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 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bellingham, WA and Sammamish, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Kirkland.
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