This 69.6-mile drive from Bellevue, WA, to Clear Lake, WA, will take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 92% of the journey on major interstates like I-5 and I-405. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this is an economical option for a short getaway. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire trip, staying within the state of Washington. The straightforward nature of this drive means you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.8 miles from Bellevue, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
44.7 mi
52m
I 405
16.1 mi
20m
East College Way
3.6 mi
7m
State Route 9
3.2 mi
6m
Northeast 4th Street
0.4 mi
1m
Northeast 2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Bellevue Way Northeast
0.1 mi
<1m
108th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 44.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, WA and Clear Lake, WA.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Main Street
150 ft·7 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto Bellevue Way Northeast
0.1 mi·22 sec·Bellevue Way Northeast
4
Turn right onto Northeast 2nd Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Northeast 2nd Street
5
Turn left onto 108th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi·17 sec·108th Avenue Northeast
6
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Northeast 4th Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 405 North: EverettUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
5.8 mi·7 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
45 mi·52 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward WA 538 East: College Way
14
Turn right onto East College Way
3.6 mi·7 min·East College Way
Use the right lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
183 ft·3 sec·State Route 9
16
Continue on WA 9
3.2 mi·6 min·State Route 9
17
Turn right onto Lake Street
181 ft·13 sec·Lake Street
18
Turn left
25 ft·1 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 1.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day, and since there are no designated stops in the data, you can easily plan quick breaks as needed. The estimated fuel cost is $15, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. A specific tip for this route: be aware of potential traffic on I-5 and I-405, especially during peak commute hours, as it could impact your 1 hour and 31-minute estimate.
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 34.8 miles from Bellevue, WA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 15 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.8 miles or 44m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear Lake, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellevue, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bellevue, WA
This is one driving day of about 69.6 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Bellevue, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 44.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Northeast 4th Street
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 405 North: Everett
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett
6
6.9 mi into trip|~10m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
17.2 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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.
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.13 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$15.28
$30.55
premium
$5.77
$15.81
$31.61
diesel
$5.61
$15.37
$30.73
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: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.09
$2.78
EV Truck/SUV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 19, 2026
Origin
Bellevue, WA
Morning
in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
8:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clear Lake, WA
Morning
in Clear Lake on Sunday
Local time
8:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°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
18 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 31m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.7 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate major arteries like I-5 and I-405 before transitioning to East College Way. While largely a high-speed journey, keep an eye out for the shift in road character as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.6 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Northeast 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 Bellevue, WA to Clear Lake, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Vancouver British Columbia
17.2 mi in|~23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 69.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.7 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Clear Lake, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Northeast 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clear Lake, WA before heading back.
