Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Bellevue, WA
Drive Time
17m
Distance
10.6 mi
17 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Crossing from Seattle to Bellevue is a quick 10.6-mile trip that typically takes about 17 minutes. Because of the short distance, this route is perfect for a one-day excursion and doesn't require any overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via I-5 and WA 520, keeping your fuel costs low at approximately $2. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, the transition between them is seamless and straightforward. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a brief change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it an easy addition to your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.3 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 10.6-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from major interstate travel to local streets like 108th Avenue Northeast. You will spend roughly 59% of your time on highways, providing a balanced mix of speed and urban navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 4.5 miles you spend on WA 520, where you can settle into a steady pace. Expect the road character to evolve as you move off the highway and into the local grid, shifting from high-speed flow to a more measured suburban environment.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 520 is the longest continuous segment at about 4.5 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 early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 10.6 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 (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WA 520
Take the exit onto WA 520 toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
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 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
6
7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward 84th Avenue Northeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 84th Avenue Northeast
9
7.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Medina, Clyde Hill
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Medina, Clyde Hill
6
7.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
Northeast 24th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 24th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Seattle, WA and Bellevue, WA, road signs point toward Kirkland, 84Th Avenue Northeast, Medina and Clyde Hill.
Kirkland
2.5 mi in
|
~4m
|
via WA 520
84Th Avenue Northeast
7 mi in
|
~10m
Medina
7.1 mi in
|
~10m
Clyde Hill
7.1 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 520 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| I 5 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 108th Avenue Northeast | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 24th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 84th Avenue Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 520
— 4.5 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft
·
11 sec
·
Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
4th Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto University Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
University Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 5 North
6
Merge onto I 5
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit onto WA 520
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
WA 520
Exit 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward 84th Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
485 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Medina, Clyde Hill
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto 84th Avenue Northeast
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
84th Avenue Northeast
11
Turn left onto Northeast 24th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast 24th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto 108th Avenue Northeast
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
108th Avenue Northeast
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right
45 ft
·
3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 17-minute duration, you have total flexibility when planning your departure time. With no scheduled stops required, you can easily work this drive around other commitments in your day. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on WA 520, so monitor traffic reports for that stretch specifically to ensure a smooth transit. Since the trip is so short and fuel consumption is minimal at $2, you don't need to worry about complex refueling stops or rest breaks. Use this quick transit time to your advantage by focusing on your destination arrival rather than managing the road itself.
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 5.3 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.5 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 10.6 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
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 Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 10.6 miles and 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Seattle, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on WA 520 for about 4.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.3 mi from Seattle, WA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.3 miles from Seattle, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.22 one way
$4.45 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $2.32 | $4.65 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.41 | $4.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.35 | $4.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
| Efficient EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.93 | $0.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Bellevue, WA
Evening in Bellevue 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
17m 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 Seattle, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 10.6 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 520, I 5, 108th Avenue Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.3 miles from Seattle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.22 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 10.6 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 (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Seattle, WA and Bellevue, WA, road signs point toward Kirkland, 84Th Avenue Northeast, Medina and Clyde Hill.
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