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Trip from Gig Harbor, WA to Bellingham, WA

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 46m

Distance

133.4 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Gig Harbor, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the State of Washington, United States

Bellingham, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Gig Harbor, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 133.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, WA 16, Pioneer Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.8 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.92 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

66.7 miles from Gig Harbor, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 133.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 133.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and WA 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 119.8 miles on I 5.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 early in the drive near Pioneer Way.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 133.4 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: near the start (Pioneer Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (WA 16): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Pioneer Way

Turn left onto Pioneer Way

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | WA 16

Merge onto WA 16

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.6 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
11.6 mi into trip | ~16m 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
12 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 119.8 mi 2h 24m
WA 16 9.6 mi 12m
Pioneer Way 0.8 mi 1m
East Holly Street 0.6 mi 1m
Dupont Street 0.5 mi 1m
Lakeway Drive 0.4 mi 1m
Prospect Street 0.3 mi <1m
King Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 119.8 mi, about 2h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gig Harbor, WA and Bellingham, WA.

1

Start on Harborview Drive

188 ft · 9 sec · Harborview Drive
2

Turn left onto Pioneer Way

0.8 mi · 1 min · Pioneer Way
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec
4

Merge onto WA 16

9.6 mi · 12 min · WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left lane.
7

Merge onto I 5

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 5
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

120 mi · 2 hr 24 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 27 sec
Exit 253 Toward Lakeway Drive
10

Turn right onto King Street

471 ft · 9 sec · King Street
11

Turn right onto Lakeway Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Lakeway Drive
12

Continue on East Holly Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Holly Street
13

Turn right onto Bay Street

77 ft · 2 sec · Bay Street
14

Turn left onto Prospect Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Prospect Street
15

Continue on Dupont Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dupont Street
16

Arrive at destination

Dupont Street

Trip Plan

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 66.7 miles from Gig Harbor, WA, or about 1h 23m 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 29 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.7 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m

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 Gig Harbor, 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 Gig Harbor, WA

This is one driving day of about 133.4 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Gig Harbor, 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 66.7 mi from Gig Harbor, WA · 1h 23m into the drive

city in King County, Washington, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shoreline, WA

67 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

Kent, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shoreline, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from Gig Harbor, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Il Granaio Authentic Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mount Vernon, Washington

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $30 to $40 mile 104.8

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13604190674

Visit website

Bellingham Cider Company Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bellingham, Washington

0.5 mi

The Loft Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bellingham, Washington

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Santo Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seattle, Washington

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.7

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12064031678

Visit website

Herkimer Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seattle, Washington

2.2 mi

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tacoma, Washington

2.3 mi

Il Granaio Authentic Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $30 to $40 mile 104.8

Mount Vernon, Washington

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13604190674

Visit website

Bellingham Cider Company Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 133.4

Bellingham, Washington

Hours: 12–8 pm

+13605108494

Visit website

The Loft Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 133.4

Bellingham, Washington

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13603065668

Visit website

Arlis's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.4

Bellingham, Washington

Hours: 7:30 am–1:30 pm

+13606471788

Visit website

Pel'meni Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 133.4

Bellingham, Washington

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+13607382982

Visit website

Time Out | Greek & American Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.2

Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14256725144

Visit website

Restaurant Christine

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 47.7

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12064204781

Visit website

Emory's on Silver Lake

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 66.7

Everett, Washington

Hours: 2–9 pm

+14253377772

Visit website

Santo Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.7

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12064031678

Visit website

Herkimer Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.7

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12067840202

Visit website

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.5

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12532373403

Visit website

Daisy Mae's Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 28.6

Kent, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm

+12538725580

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.1

Federal Way, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12064605185

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.6

Renton, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Rainier Valley Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 19.1

Puyallup, Washington

Hours: 4 am–6 pm

Visit website

Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Gig Harbor, Washington

+12535140071

Visit website

Harbor History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Gig Harbor, Washington

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+12538586722

Visit website

Escape Hour Gig Harbor

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Gig Harbor, Washington

Hours: 5:30–8:30 pm

+12533130107

Visit website

Children's Museum of Tacoma

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9.5

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12536276031

Visit website

STAR Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9.5

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12534043939

Visit website

Lincoln Heights Park

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 9.5

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12533051000

Visit website

Space Needle

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive mile 47.7

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 9:30 am–9 pm

+12069052100

Visit website

Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.7

Everett, Washington

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18773423404

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 41.4
View on nps.gov
San Juan Island National Historical Park

San Juan Island National Historical Park

National Historical Park

San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...

30 mi from route ~75 min detour Free near mile 128.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.92 one way

$55.84 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $29.28 $58.56
premium $5.77 $30.29 $60.59
diesel $5.61 $29.45 $58.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40 0 $14.01 $6.40
Efficient EV 33.4 0 $11.67 $5.34
EV Truck/SUV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Gig Harbor, WA

Night in Gig Harbor on Thursday

Local time

10:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellingham, WA

Night in Bellingham on Thursday

Local time

10:56 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

2h 46m 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 Gig Harbor, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 133.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 16, Pioneer 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 66.7 miles from Gig Harbor, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.92 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 11 significant decision points across 133.4 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: near the start (Pioneer Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (WA 16): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gig Harbor, WA to Bellingham, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and San Juan Island National Historical Park.

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Return Trip

Bellingham, WA to Gig Harbor, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

132.6 mi 2h 44m

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