This 86.2-mile drive from Morton, WA to Bellevue, WA is easily manageable as a one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes Meridian Avenue East and Valley Freeway, with a portion on State Route 7, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this journey through the Pacific Coast region is a straightforward and efficient way to travel. You'll find this drive to be a practical option for getting between these two Washington locations, with no overnight stops required.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Morton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 86.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The character of this 86.2-mile drive is a mix, with about 50% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on Meridian Avenue East, Valley Freeway, and State Route 7. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 20.1 miles on Meridian Avenue East, offering a consistent pace. Overall, expect a varied driving experience that transitions between more open highway speeds and potentially more local road conditions as you progress toward Bellevue.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Meridian Avenue East is the longest continuous segment at about 20.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 86.2 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 51.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
51.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the ramp toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
8
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yaki...
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue
8
84.7 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
84.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
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 Morton, WA to Bellevue, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
54.1 mi in|~1h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Meridian Avenue East
20.1 mi
31m
Valley Freeway
19.7 mi
24m
State Route 7
13.7 mi
18m
I 405
9.5 mi
11m
Alder Cutoff Road East
6.5 mi
11m
Mountain Highway East
4.9 mi
7m
Morton Road
2.5 mi
3m
Meridian East
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Meridian Avenue East
— 20.1 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morton, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on WA 7
0.1 mi·10 sec·2nd Street
2
Continue on WA 7
2.5 mi·3 min·Morton Road
3
Continue on WA 7
14 mi·18 min·State Route 7
4
Turn left onto WA 7
4.9 mi·7 min·Mountain Highway East
5
Turn right onto Alder Cutoff Road East
6.5 mi·11 min·Alder Cutoff Road East
6
Continue on Center Street East
0.6 mi·1 min·Center Street East
7
Turn right onto WA 161
0.9 mi·2 min·Washington Avenue North
8
Continue on WA 161
16 mi·23 min·Meridian Avenue East
9
Continue on WA 161
0.7 mi·1 min·Meridian East
10
Continue on WA 161
4.0 mi·7 min·Meridian Avenue East
11
Continue on WA 161
1.0 mi·2 min·Meridian East
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
3.0 mi·4 min
Toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, YakimaUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 167
20 mi·24 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 North: BellevueUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 405
9.5 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 12Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·116th Avenue Southeast
20
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right
45 ft·3 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour drive, flexibility is key. You can depart anytime that suits your schedule, but leaving in the morning can help you avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Bellevue. With no designated stops in the data, plan for brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $18 for the 86.2 miles. A specific tip for this route: be aware that Meridian Avenue East, your longest stretch, can sometimes have local traffic influencing your speed.
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 43.1 miles from Morton, WA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.1 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 49m
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 Morton, 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 Morton, WA
This is one driving day of about 86.2 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Morton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Meridian Avenue East for about 20.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.1 mi from Morton, WA
· 1h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.1 miles from Morton, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 86.2
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning fi...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$30
near mile 14.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.04 one way
$36.08 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$18.92
$37.84
premium
$5.77
$19.57
$39.15
diesel
$5.61
$19.03
$38.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Morton, Washington
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Morton, Washington
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Elbe, Washington
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Sumner, Washington
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.05
$4.14
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.54
$3.45
EV Truck/SUV
34.5
0
$12.07
$5.52
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Morton, WA
Late night
in Morton on Saturday
Local time
3:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bellevue, WA
Late night
in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
3:02 AM
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
5 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 8m 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 Morton, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 86.2 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Meridian Avenue East, Valley Freeway, State Route 7. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.1 miles from Morton, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.04 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 12 significant decision points across 86.2 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 51.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Morton, WA to Bellevue, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
