Spanning 131.4 miles from Cashmere to Bellevue, this route is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes to complete. Because the entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, it serves as a highly efficient day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $28 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. By utilizing a combination of US 97, WA 970, and the I-90 corridor, you can navigate the distance with ease. This drive is designed for those who prioritize efficiency and reliability over winding backroads, offering a direct link between these two Washington hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.7 miles from Cashmere, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
75.6 mi
1h 25m
US 97
35.3 mi
44m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
US 2
6.6 mi
8m
I 405
1 mi
1m
Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
1m
Aplets Way
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 75.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cashmere, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on US 2 Business; US 97 Business
0.3 mi·48 sec·Aplets Way
2
Turn left onto US 2; US 97
6.3 mi·8 min·US 2; US 97
3
Take the exit onto US 97
0.3 mi·46 sec·US 2
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 97
35 mi·44 min·US 97
5
Continue on WA 970
9.8 mi·12 min·WA 970
6
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·18 sec·WA 970
7
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·11 sec·Sunset Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 90 West
9
Merge onto I 90
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 405
1.0 mi·1 min·I 405
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 12Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue SoutheastUse the left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi·1 min·116th Avenue Southeast
16
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right
45 ft·3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help you stay refreshed. With a total duration of under three hours, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer I-90 stretches, as the $28 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given that the route consists almost entirely of highways, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your travel time remains close to the 2-hour and 39-minute estimate. Utilizing that single planned stop effectively will make the transition from the mountain-adjacent roads to the Bellevue area much more comfortable.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.7 miles from Cashmere, WA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
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 Cashmere, 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 Cashmere, WA
This is one driving day of about 131.4 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Cashmere, 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 90 for about 75.6 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 6.6 and 130 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.6 mi into trip|~8m in|US 97 / US 2
Take the exit onto US 97 / US 2 toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
8
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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...
8
130 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.50 one way
$55.00 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$28.84
$57.68
premium
$5.77
$29.84
$59.68
diesel
$5.61
$29.01
$58.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.50
$5.26
EV Truck/SUV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Cashmere, WA
Late night
in Cashmere on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bellevue, WA
Late night
in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
26 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 39m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 131.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 98% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 75.6 miles. The transition from the rural feel of US 97 and WA 970 into the high-speed flow of the interstate defines the personality of this drive. While the route is largely consistent, the change in road types ensures you maintain a steady pace throughout the 131.4-mile trek. It is a functional, high-speed drive that rewards drivers who appreciate the predictability of well-maintained, multi-lane highways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
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 13 significant decision points across 131.4 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 6.6 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 131.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.6 miles on I 90. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellevue, WA before heading back.
