Origin
Colfax, WA
Evening in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
6:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colfax, WA to Bellevue, WA
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
265.6 mi
428 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, WA
Abraham Castro
Trip Overview
Spanning 265.6 miles across Washington, this trip from Colfax to Bellevue typically takes about 5 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route is straightforward, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes the WA 26 and I-90 corridors. Since you are traveling entirely within the Pacific Coast region, the transition is relatively seamless. Whether you are heading west for business or leisure, this highway-focused drive offers a reliable connection across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.8 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on WA 26, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 129.3 miles. As you move from the Colfax area toward the I-90 corridor, the road character shifts from regional highways to major interstate travel. This drive is designed for speed and consistency rather than technical maneuvering, keeping you in a steady rhythm for the majority of the 5-hour duration. Prepare for a focused, high-speed experience that prioritizes getting you to Bellevue as directly as possible.
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.
WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 272 / East Canyon Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 265.6 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 (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Turn right onto WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Navigation decision point
8
262.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
262.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
264.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m 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
264.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| WA 26 | 129.3 mi | 2h 44m |
| I 90 | 127.9 mi | 2h 21m |
| Colfax Airport Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| I 405 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Fairview Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 116th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 129.3 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on this road
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto WA 272
138 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Canyon Street
3
Turn left onto US 195
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Turn right onto West Fairview Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Fairview Street
6
Continue on West Almota Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Almota Road
7
Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Colfax Airport Road
8
Turn left onto WA 26
129 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
WA 26
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 90
128 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
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
Use the none lane.
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 5-hour-plus duration, planning for at least one strategic stop is essential to keep your energy levels up. Aim to depart Colfax early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Bellevue area later in the day. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 129.3-mile stretch on WA 26, as service intervals may vary compared to the more heavily trafficked I-90. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on real-time road conditions. Take advantage of your designated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, ensuring you remain alert for the final leg of your journey.
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 132.8 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA
This is one driving day of about 265.6 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, 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 WA 26 for about 129.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.8 mi from Colfax, WA · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 132.8 miles from Colfax, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.3 miles.
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.
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
$55.74 one way
$111.49 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $58.21 | $116.42 |
| premium | $5.77 | $60.35 | $120.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.01 | $118.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.89 | $12.75 |
| Efficient EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.2 | 1 | $37.18 | $17.00 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bellevue, WA
Evening in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
6:33 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°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
7 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
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Colfax, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 265.6 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 26, I 90, Colfax Airport Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.8 miles from Colfax, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.74 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 265.6 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: near the start (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Colfax, WA to Bellevue, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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