Carson, WA to Bellevue, WA is 213 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the Puget Sound area. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you need to get from southwest Washington to the Seattle metropolitan area efficiently. Consider this option for its directness and manageable duration.
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
106.5 miles from Carson, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
146.2 mi
2h 47m
Evergreen Highway
22.3 mi
31m
I 405
12.1 mi
15m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
9.9 mi
12m
I 205
9.9 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Highway
5 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2.8 mi
4m
Wind River Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 213 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,355 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~449 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
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 Carson, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on 1st Street
196 ft·16 sec·1st Street
2
Turn left onto Hot Springs Avenue
270 ft·14 sec·Hot Springs Avenue
3
Turn left onto Wind River Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wind River Road
4
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
43 ft·1 sec·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward Stevenson
5
Continue on WA 14
2.8 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward Stevenson
6
Continue on WA 14
0.7 mi·2 min·2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on WA 14
22 mi·31 min·Evergreen Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on WA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
146 ft·2 sec·Lewis and Clark Highway
10
Continue on WA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
87 ft·1 sec·Lewis and Clark Highway
12
Continue on WA 14
4.0 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 14
5.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 6Toward I 205: Salem, SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward I 205 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 205
9.9 mi·12 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 405
12 mi·15 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 12Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the left / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·116th Avenue Southeast
25
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right
45 ft·3 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 213-mile drive, leaving Carson, WA in the morning will allow you to reach Bellevue, WA before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but plan for the 4h 21m driving time plus any brief stops. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 146.2-mile stretch on I 5. Be mindful of potential traffic as you approach the Seattle metro area, which can add time to your final approach on I 405.
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 106.5 miles from Carson, WA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carson, 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 Carson, WA
This is one driving day of about 213 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Carson, 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 146.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.8 and 211.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
41.8 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
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 6
Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
8
42 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
8
198.9 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
199 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
211.5 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue South...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.49 one way
$82.99 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$43.47
$86.94
premium
$5.39
$45.21
$90.42
diesel
$4.80
$40.22
$80.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.22
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.64
$8.52
EV Truck/SUV
85.2
1
$29.82
$13.63
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Carson, WA
Late night
in Carson on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
WSW 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Bellevue, WA
Late night
in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM 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
2 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
4h 21m 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?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 79% of the distance on major freeways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 146.2 miles on I 5 before transitioning to Evergreen Highway and then I 405. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach and enter the greater Seattle area. The profile is mostly highway, so be prepared for consistent speed limits and typical freeway conditions for the majority of your travel time.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Evergreen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 213 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 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
463 ft19 ft
Total Climb
835 ft
Total Descent
1,217 ft
Highest Point
463 ft
Elevation Range
445 ft
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 Carson, WA to Bellevue, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.
Bellevue is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, just across Lake Washington from Seattle. Bellevue had a population of 150,000 in 2021, making it the largest city on the Eastside of King County.
Bellevue is perhaps the most ritzy part of the Seattle metro area, mainly due to the presence of Microsoft at nearby Redmond and other tech companies occupying the downtown office towers. The dense downtown has much of the region's upscale and luxury retail. It also has many neighborhoods comprised of large houses, and excellent vistas of the water for the lucky few. It is generally considered more pleasant and safe than Seattle, if blander, though the influx of international tech workers has led to a vibrant Chinese community.
=== Local information ===
Bellevue City Council website
Top landmarks
•Bellevue Arts Museum — museum in Bellevue, Washington, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 213 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.2 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Bellevue, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Bellevue, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
