Origin
Bellingham, WA
Afternoon in Bellingham on Friday
Local time
3:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellingham, WA to Yelm, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
151.2 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Yelm, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 151.2-mile drive from Bellingham, WA to Yelm, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll spend about 90% of your time on highways, with a significant 135.5-mile stretch on I-5. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32. This route primarily stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. Given its manageable length and highway focus, it's an excellent option for a day trip with minimal need for overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.6 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 151.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 151.2-mile journey, with I-5 dominating for a substantial 135.5 miles. This means you'll experience a good amount of fast-paced travel, interspersed with transitions onto Yelm Highway Southeast and Reservation Road Southeast as you near your destination. While it's largely a highway experience, the shift onto local roads towards the end provides a slight change of pace. This profile suggests a drive that is efficient and direct, rather than one filled with winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 135.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Yelm Highway Southeast. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near West Champion Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (Lakeway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Lakeway Drive
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
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
6
120.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
137.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 116
Toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually
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 Bellingham, WA to Yelm, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Old Nisqually along the way.
Old Nisqually
137.3 mi in
|
~2h 49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 135.5 mi | 2h 44m |
| Yelm Highway Southeast | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Reservation Road Southeast | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Nisqually Road Southwest | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Old Pacific Highway Southeast | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| WA 510 Alternate | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Yelm Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Killion Road Southeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 135.5 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Yelm, 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
119 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
17 mi
·
21 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 116
Toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto Mounts Road Southwest
210 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mounts Road Southwest
12
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Nisqually Road Southwest
13
Continue on Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Pacific Highway Southeast
14
Turn left onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Reservation Road Southeast
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
198 ft
·
3 sec
·
Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
16
Continue on WA 510
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
17
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
Yelm Highway Southeast
18
Continue on WA 510
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Yelm Highway Southeast
19
Continue on Yelm Highway Southeast
399 ft
·
9 sec
·
Yelm Highway Southeast
20
Enter roundabout onto WA 510 Alternate
115 ft
·
1 sec
·
WA 510 Alternate
21
Continue on WA 510 Alternate
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 510 Alternate
22
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Killion Road Southeast
23
Turn left onto WA 510
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Yelm Avenue
24
Turn left onto North 1st Street
164 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 1st Street
25
Turn right
54 ft
·
4 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 3 hours and 15 minutes, this 151.2-mile trip from Bellingham to Yelm is best enjoyed by departing in the morning to allow ample time for any brief stops you might want to make. The majority of your travel will be on I-5, covering 135.5 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too far into that long stretch. Budget approximately $32 for fuel. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have flexibility, but consider a brief pause around the halfway point to stretch your legs before the final leg on Yelm Highway Southeast and Reservation Road Southeast.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.6 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.5 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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yelm, 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 151.2 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Bellingham, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 135.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.6 mi from Bellingham, WA · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.6 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 135.5 miles.
Arriving in Yelm, WA
The final approach into Yelm, 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 Yelm, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.64 one way
$63.29 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $33.19 | $66.37 |
| premium | $5.77 | $34.34 | $68.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.38 | $66.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Yelm, WA
Afternoon in Yelm on Friday
Local time
3:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 15m 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 Yelm, WA covers 151.2 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Yelm Highway Southeast, Reservation Road Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.6 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 $31.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (Lakeway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
On the drive from Bellingham, WA to Yelm, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Old Nisqually along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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