Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
64.3 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Bellevue to Olympia is a straightforward 64.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. Since this trip is entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-405 and I-5, making this a highly efficient transit rather than a multi-day vacation. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit needs comfortably. Because the route is short and direct, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay, offering you maximum flexibility for your travel plans.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 48.3 mi | 1h |
| I 405 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| 14th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 4th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 2nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Way South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Bellevue Way Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 108th Avenue Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, WA and Olympia, WA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn right onto Bellevue Way Northeast
Turn right onto Northeast 2nd Street
Turn left onto 108th Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Continue on 14th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Way South
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Bellevue, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 35 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 405 South: Renton
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$13.46 one way
$26.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $14.11 | $28.23 |
| premium | $5.77 | $14.60 | $29.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.20 | $28.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.09 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.12 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Late night in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. The road’s personality is defined by utility, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 48.3 miles along I-5. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining consistent highway speeds before transitioning into the local streets of Olympia via 14th Avenue Southeast. While the journey is efficient, be prepared for the typical rhythm of interstate driving. This is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you from the Bellevue area to the state capital with minimal deviation.
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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.3 miles you will encounter 15 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.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 64.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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