Origin
Mukilteo, WA
Afternoon in Mukilteo on Friday
Local time
1:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mukilteo, WA to Bellingham, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
71.7 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mukilteo, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 71.7-mile journey from Mukilteo, WA, to Bellingham, WA, that’s easily manageable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This drive is primarily on I-5, making it a highly efficient trip perfect for a single day. With a fuel cost estimated around $15, it’s an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region within Washington state. The route offers a direct path, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Given its brevity and highway focus, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous day excursion or as a segment of a larger Pacific Northwest adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Mukilteo, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-5. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch for 63.2 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal diversions from the main highway. The Boeing Freeway and Mukilteo Speedway serve as your initial connections before merging onto the interstate. This character means the drive is about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 63.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Boeing Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near WA 526 / 84th Street Southwest.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 30m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (WA 526 / 84th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
WA 526 / 84th Street Southwest
Turn left onto WA 526 / 84th Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward Lakeway Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
4
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
|
King Street
Turn right onto King Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 63.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| Boeing Freeway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Mukilteo Speedway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| 84th Street Southwest | 0.7 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mukilteo, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on WA 525
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Mukilteo Speedway
2
Turn left onto WA 526
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
84th Street Southwest
3
Turn left onto WA 526
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
84th Street Southwest
4
Continue on WA 526
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Boeing Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward I5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 5
63 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
8
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
9
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
10
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
11
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
12
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
13
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
14
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 30-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic, especially if you're heading out on a weekday. Since there are no designated stops included in this route data, you can decide on any breaks as needed, perhaps utilizing services along I-5. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the longest stretch on I-5 is over 63 miles. This direct, highway-centric route means you can easily adjust your timing based on your schedule.
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 35.9 miles from Mukilteo, WA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 45m 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 15m
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 Mukilteo, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mukilteo, WA
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Mukilteo, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.9 mi from Mukilteo, WA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Mukilteo, 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 63.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.01 one way
$30.01 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.74 | $31.47 |
| premium | $5.77 | $16.28 | $32.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.83 | $31.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.27 | $2.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in Bellingham on Friday
Local time
1:24 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Mount Vernon, WA
36 mi in
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
9 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 30m 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 Mukilteo, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 71.7 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Boeing Freeway, Mukilteo Speedway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 miles from Mukilteo, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.01 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 straightforward 1h 30m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (WA 526 / 84th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mukilteo, WA to Bellingham, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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