Spanning 265.1 miles across Western Washington, this drive from Bellingham to Camas typically takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and heavily highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the journey through the Pacific Coast region. While it is a long haul, the drive is efficient, keeping you primarily on major interstates for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading south for business or visiting family, this direct path offers a reliable way to traverse the state without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.6 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
244.8 mi
4h 45m
I 205
10.1 mi
13m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.5 mi
6m
Northwest 6th Avenue
1 mi
2m
West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
1m
Dupont Street
0.5 mi
1m
WA 14 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
Northeast 3rd Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 244.8 mi, about 4h 45m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 310 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,561 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~437 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Camas, WA.
1
Start on Dupont Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dupont Street
2
Continue on Prospect Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Prospect Street
3
Turn left onto West Champion Street
352 ft·11 sec·West Champion Street
4
Continue on West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Magnolia Street
5
Turn right onto Ellis Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Ellis Street
6
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
0.2 mi·48 sec·Lakeway Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
119 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
10 mi·13 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Camas, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 14 East: CamasUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto WA 14
5.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto WA 14 Business
0.3 mi·36 sec·WA 14 Business
Exit 12Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·WA 14 Business
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, CamasUse the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto WA 14 Business
119 ft·2 sec·Northwest 6th Avenue
17
Continue on WA 14 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·Northwest 6th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn slight right
116 ft·4 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto WA 14 Business
0.1 mi·30 sec·Northeast Adams Street
20
Continue on WA 14 Business
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 3rd Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
WA 14 Business
Trip Plan
Since the route is primarily a long interstate stretch, planning your departure is key to avoiding peak congestion in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor. Aim to leave Bellingham early to ensure you reach Camas without getting caught in heavy traffic, which can easily extend your 5-hour drive. You are limited to one recommended stop, so choose a location along the long I-5 stretch to stretch your legs and refuel. Keeping an eye on your dashboard for the $56 fuel estimate will help you manage your budget effectively. Given the length of the uninterrupted 244.8-mile segment, make sure to plan your break strategically to stay alert behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132.6 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.8 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 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camas, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, WA
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Bellingham, 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 244.8 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 246.6 and 263.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
256.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
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 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
7
256.8 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 East: Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
8
263.2 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|WA 14 Business
Take the exit onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center
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 12
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center
8
263.5 mi into trip|~5h 13m in|WA 14 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.74 one way
$117.48 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$61.63
$123.26
premium
$6.08
$63.46
$126.91
diesel
$5.35
$55.84
$111.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Bellingham, WA
Afternoon
in Bellingham on Wednesday
Local time
12:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
S 5 to 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 25 at 4:56AM PDT until May 25 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 11:37AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Camas, WA
Afternoon
in Camas on Wednesday
Local time
12:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 25 at 4:56AM PDT until May 25 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 11:37AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
5h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 96% of this route consists of highway travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a massive 244.8-mile stretch of the journey. The remainder of the trip utilizes I-205 and the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway to reach your final destination. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the road personality is functional and consistent rather than technical or winding. You can count on a steady, monotonous pace that prioritizes speed and efficiency over complex terrain or local backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.8 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 246.6 miles in near I 205.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 265.1 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: at 246.6 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Bellingham, the "City of Subdued Excitement", is a city of 92,000 people in the northwest region of Washington State. It is the northernmost city in the contiguous 48 states. Situated on Bellingham Bay, you can venture from downtown and in minutes be in rural farmland, the North Cascades or out on the salt waters around the San Juan Islands.
Top landmarks
•Fairhaven — neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington, USA
•SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention — museum in Bellingham, Washington
•Mount Baker Theatre — theater in Bellingham, Washington
Camas is in southwest Washington state along the Columbia River on the eastern edge of the Portland metro area, across from Troutdale, Oregon. At this juncture the Columbia River is nearly a mile wide.
Top landmarks
•Farrell Building — building in Camas, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.8 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Camas, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 246.6 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Camas, WA before the return drive.
