Spanning 90.4 miles, this drive from Bellingham to Sammamish is a straightforward trek through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 57 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the journey. Since the route is entirely contained within the same state, you won't need to worry about adjusting for regional differences or long-distance travel fatigue. Overall, it serves as a reliable connection between two key areas, offering a simple transit experience for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
69.6 mi
1h 21m
I 405
11.2 mi
14m
Redmond Way
3.3 mi
7m
East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
1.9 mi
4m
Northeast 85th Street
1 mi
2m
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 Sammamish, 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
10 mi·12 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on Redmond Way
3.3 mi·7 min·Redmond Way
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn slight right
346 ft·14 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
1.9 mi·4 min·East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 57 minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. While the route is designed to be completed in a single session with zero planned stops, keep in mind that I-5 and I-405 can experience varying traffic levels depending on the time of day. Planning your departure to avoid peak commuter hours will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the 90.4-mile trek. Be sure to fuel up before you head out to comfortably cover the $19 estimated cost. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the high-speed I-405 corridor onto the local Redmond Way, as the change in speed and road type happens quickly as you arrive in Sammamish.
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 45.2 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 56m 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 56m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sammamish, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bellingham, WA
This is one driving day of about 90.4 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 83.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|West Champion Street
Turn left onto West Champion Street
Navigation decision point
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
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
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 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.92 one way
$37.84 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$19.84
$39.68
premium
$5.77
$20.53
$41.06
diesel
$5.61
$19.96
$39.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Evening
in Bellingham on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sammamish, WA
Evening
in Sammamish on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
12 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 57m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via I-5, I-405, and Redmond Way, experiencing a mix of high-speed interstate commuting and local transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-5, where you will cover 69.6 miles of the total distance. Because it is a highway-focused drive, the personality of the road is functional and direct rather than winding or technical. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the journey, as the route transitions from the interstate system into the local street network near the end of your trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?
7/10
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 around 0.7 miles in near West Champion Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
430 ft1 ft
Total Climb
1,351 ft
Total Descent
1,367 ft
Highest Point
430 ft
~71 mi in
Elevation Range
429 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bellingham, WA and Sammamish, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Kirkland.
Renton
71.5 mi in|~1h 26m
Kirkland
83.6 mi in|~1h 42m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 90.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m 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 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 Sammamish, 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: at 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sammamish, WA before heading back.
