Origin
Tacoma, WA
Late night in Tacoma on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Bellingham, WA
Data updated 1 second ago
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
123 mi
198 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 23m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 123-mile drive from Tacoma to Bellingham, Washington, is easily manageable in about 2 hours and 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-5, offering a straightforward journey through the Pacific Coast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, this highway-focused drive is efficient for a single day's travel. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, covering a significant 119-mile stretch on I-5 without interruption. Consider this a convenient option if you're looking for a quick transit between these two Washington cities.
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
61.5 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 123-mile trip, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-5 and I-705. The personality of this route is largely defined by the efficiency of the interstate system. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 119 miles on I-5, suggesting a consistent pace. While the majority is highway, there are brief transitions onto local roads like East Holly Street. This drive offers a predictable and direct connection between your starting and ending points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 705. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Market Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 123 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 13th Street
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 119 mi | 2h 23m |
| I 705 | 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 |
| South 13th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 119 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on South 11th Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 11th Street
2
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 13th Street
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
213 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 705 SB Ramp
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Port of Tacoma
6
Merge onto I 705
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 705
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
119 mi
·
2 hr 23 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
11
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
12
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
13
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
14
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
15
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
16
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
17
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
For this approximately 2.5-hour drive, departing in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid peak traffic, especially around Tacoma. Since the route is under 3 hours and features a long 119-mile stretch on I-5, you may only need one fuel or rest stop, but plan it strategically. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the $26 estimated cost suggests a straightforward calculation, but it's always wise to top off before entering longer highway segments. Given the short duration, you have flexibility, but consider that the main highway portions offer limited opportunities for spontaneous stops.
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 61.5 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 123 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tacoma, 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 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.5 mi from Tacoma, WA · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 61.5 miles from Tacoma, 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 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
$25.74 one way
$51.49 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
| premium | $5.77 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
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: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.76 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Bellingham, WA
Late night in Bellingham on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
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 33m 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 Tacoma, WA to Bellingham, WA covers 123 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 705, 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 61.5 miles from Tacoma, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.74 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 123 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tacoma, WA to Bellingham, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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