Origin
Fircrest, WA
Evening in Fircrest on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fircrest, WA to Bellingham, WA
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
125.9 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fircrest, WA
Alex Stone
Bellingham, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fircrest to Bellingham covers a 125.9-mile stretch across the Pacific Coast region. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $26, it is an economical route for a quick getaway or a business excursion. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, you won't need to worry about splitting it into multiple days. Whether you are heading north for a change of scenery or visiting family, this direct path keeps your travel logistics simple and predictable.
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
63 miles from Fircrest, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a 119.8-mile stretch, providing a consistent and fast-paced driving experience. While you start your journey using WA 16 and navigate through East Holly Street upon arrival, the bulk of the route is an interstate grind. Expect a steady, high-speed flow that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 119.8 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 0.7 miles in near South Orchard Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 125.9 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 (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Orchard Street
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
6
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
6
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 119.8 mi | 2h 24m |
| WA 16 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Holly Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Columbia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Prospect Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Alameda Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 119.8 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fircrest, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on Alameda Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Alameda Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Columbia Avenue
3
Continue on South 19th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South 19th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Orchard Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto WA 16
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
WA 16
Use the none lane.
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
120 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
12
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
13
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
14
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
15
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
16
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
17
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
18
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though keep in mind that I-5 traffic can fluctuate throughout the day. You only need to plan for one stop to manage the 125.9-mile distance comfortably. Before you hit the road, ensure your tank is ready for the $26 fuel commitment to avoid unnecessary stops. Because the route relies so heavily on the interstate, monitor traffic reports for I-5 delays before leaving Fircrest to ensure you maintain your 2-hour and 38-minute time estimate. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will help you stay refreshed for your arrival in Bellingham.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Fircrest, WA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.8 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 19m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellingham, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, WA
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fircrest, 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 119.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63 mi from Fircrest, WA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 63 miles from Fircrest, 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 119.8 miles.
Arriving in Bellingham, WA
The final approach into Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, 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
$26.42 one way
$52.85 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $27.59 | $55.19 |
| premium | $5.77 | $28.61 | $57.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Bellingham, WA
Evening in Bellingham on Sunday
Local time
7:46 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
2 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
2h 38m 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 Fircrest, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 125.9 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 16, East Holly Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63 miles from Fircrest, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.42 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.
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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 125.9 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 (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fircrest, WA to Bellingham, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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