Origin
Tumwater, WA
Night in Tumwater on Friday
Local time
10:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tumwater, WA to Bellevue, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
65.2 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tumwater, WA
Ken Cheatham
Trip Overview
This 65.2-mile drive from Tumwater, WA to Bellevue, WA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, primarily utilizing I-5 and I-405. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. The route is almost entirely highway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. You'll find it a practical option for a quick trip, with no overnight stops necessary.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 65.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the 65.2 miles on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 49.5 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. The transition to I-405 and then Main Street introduces slight variations, but the overall feel remains one of efficient travel. This isn't a route for leisurely sightseeing, but rather for covering ground effectively. Expect a steady flow of traffic common to these major Washington state arteries.
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 49.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.4 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 30.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
30.4 mi into trip
|
~39m 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.
8
51.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
51.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
63.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 49.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 405 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Avenue Southwest | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 116th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Deschutes Way | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Boston Street Southeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Custer Way Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 49.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tumwater, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on this road
80 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on 2nd Avenue Southwest
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
3
Turn right onto Custer Way Southwest
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Custer Way Southwest
4
Turn right onto Boston Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Boston Street Southeast
5
At end of road, turn right onto Deschutes Way
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Deschutes Way
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
7
Merge onto I 5
29 mi
·
36 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
448 ft
·
10 sec
Exit 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 12
Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Use the left / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
116th Avenue Southeast
15
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right
45 ft
·
3 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.6 mi from Tumwater, WA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.6 miles from Tumwater, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.65 one way
$27.29 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $14.31 | $28.62 |
| premium | $5.77 | $14.81 | $29.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.40 | $28.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.85 | $3.13 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Night in Bellevue on Friday
Local time
10:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
1h 25m 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 Tumwater, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 65.2 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, Main 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 32.6 miles from Tumwater, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.65 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 30.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Tumwater, WA to Bellevue, 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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