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Trip from Bethel, WA to Bellevue, WA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

1h 18m

Distance

58.5 mi

94 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 12m ★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bethel, WA, WA

Bethel, WA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

This straightforward 58.5-mile drive from Bethel to Bellevue, Washington, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 90% of the journey on the interstate, making it a efficient way to travel between these two Pacific Coast communities. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this drive is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You won't need to worry about overnight stops, and the direct nature of the route allows for flexibility in your departure time.

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

29.2 miles from Bethel, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 58.5-mile journey. With 90% of the drive on interstates like I-5 and I-405, you'll encounter consistent high speeds and efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 20.9 miles on I-5, offering a substantial period of smooth driving. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate WA-16, providing a slight variation before you merge back onto the faster highways towards Bellevue. This profile suggests a journey where getting from point A to point B efficiently is the main objective.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 20.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 58.5 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 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
23.3 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
44.3 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue

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 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
44.4 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
56.9 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast

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 12 Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue South...
8
57.1 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 116th Avenue Southeast

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes. Toward 116th Avenue Southeast

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 20.9 mi 26m
WA 16 19.8 mi 24m
I 405 12.1 mi 15m
Bethel Burley Road Southeast 1.2 mi 2m
Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Bethel Road Southeast 0.6 mi 1m
116th Avenue Southeast 0.4 mi 1m
Southeast Mullenix Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 20.9 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethel, WA and Bellevue, WA.

1

Start on Southeast Cedar Road

129 ft · 10 sec · Southeast Cedar Road
2

Turn left onto Bethel Road Southeast

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bethel Road Southeast
3

Continue on Bethel Burley Road Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · Bethel Burley Road Southeast
4

Turn left onto Southeast Mullenix Road

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Southeast Mullenix Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward WA 16 East: Tacoma
6

Merge onto WA 16

20 mi · 24 min · WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 5

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 5
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

21 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec
Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 405

12 mi · 15 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 12 Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast Use the left / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · 116th Avenue Southeast
17

Turn left onto Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right

45 ft · 3 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 18 minutes for this 58.5-mile route, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. It's a drive where you can easily make it a quick, single-day trip with no need for overnight stays. Plan for your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is $12, and keep an eye out for the transition points between I-5, WA-16, and I-405, as these can be busy areas. Since there are no specific stops recommended, you can decide on the fly if you need a break.

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 29.2 miles from Bethel, WA, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.9 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 58.5 miles or 1h 18m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 29.2 miles or 39m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bethel, 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 Bethel, WA

This is one driving day of about 58.5 miles and 1h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bethel, 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 20.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.2 mi from Bethel, WA · 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Federal Way, WA

29 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

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fife Heights, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Bethel, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bellevue, WA

The final approach into Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, 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

$12.24 one way

$24.49 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $12.84 $25.68
premium $5.77 $13.28 $26.57
diesel $5.61 $12.92 $25.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.6 0 $6.14 $2.81
Efficient EV 14.6 0 $5.12 $2.34
EV Truck/SUV 23.4 0 $8.19 $3.74

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 23 hours ago

Origin

Bethel, WA

Afternoon in Bethel on Wednesday

Local time

12:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellevue, WA

Afternoon in Bellevue on Wednesday

Local time

12:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°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

6 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 18m 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 Bethel, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 58.5 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 16, 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 29.2 miles from Bethel, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.24 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 58.5 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 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Bethel, WA to Bellevue, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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