Bellingham to Fairwood is 102.3 miles and takes about 2h 10m via I 5, I 405, and Maple Valley Highway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington State, moving you from the Pacific Coast region further south. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward and efficient trip. Given its duration and the main roads involved, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this if you need a direct connection between these two points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.2 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
69.6 mi
1h 21m
I 405
25 mi
31m
Maple Valley Highway
2.2 mi
4m
140th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
3m
WA 900
0.7 mi
1m
West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
1m
Dupont Street
0.5 mi
1m
Lakeway Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 69.6 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Fairwood, 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
70 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
24 mi·30 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto WA 900
0.7 mi·1 min·WA 900
Exit 4Toward WA 169 South, WA 900 West: Renton, EnumclawUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto WA 169
270 ft·14 sec·Maple Valley Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on WA 169
2.2 mi·4 min·Maple Valley Highway
15
Turn right onto 140th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·3 min·140th Avenue Southeast
16
Turn right onto Southeast 171st Place
217 ft·14 sec·Southeast 171st Place
17
Turn sharp left onto 139th Place Southeast
313 ft·12 sec·139th Place Southeast
18
Turn right onto Southeast 172nd Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Southeast 172nd Street
19
Arrive at destination
Southeast 172nd Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Bellingham in the morning should allow you to reach Fairwood with plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, as there are no specific stops noted on this direct route. Since it's a relatively short, highway-centric journey, you can easily complete it without needing to stop for extended breaks, though rest areas are available along I 5 and I 405 if needed.
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 51.2 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.6 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.2 miles or 1h 3m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairwood, 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 102.3 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Bellingham, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 69.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 102.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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.
8
97.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|WA 900
Take the exit onto WA 900 toward WA 169 South, WA 900 West: Renton, Enumclaw
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 4
Toward WA 169 South, WA 900 West: Renton, Enumc...
6
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|139th Place Southeast
Turn sharp left onto 139th Place Southeast
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.08 one way
$42.15 round trip
$5.23/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.57
$22.42
$44.84
premium
$5.77
$23.24
$46.49
diesel
$5.47
$22.02
$44.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 15, 2026
Origin
Bellingham, WA
Night
in Bellingham on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairwood, WA
Night
in Fairwood on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
42°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
17 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
2h 10m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 88.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 5 and I 405. You'll experience a significant stretch of 69.6 miles on I 5, offering a consistent, high-speed travel experience. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of Maple Valley Highway suggests a potential shift to a more local road feel as you near your destination. Expect a driving personality characterized by steady progress on well-maintained highways, suitable for maintaining good time.
93% 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: 69.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.3 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 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Bellingham, WA to Fairwood, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Renton along the way.
Renton
71.5 mi in|~1h 26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.6 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 Fairwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (I 405): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairwood, WA before heading back.
