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Trip from Ellensburg, WA to Bellevue, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

101.9 mi

164 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States

Ellensburg, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 101.9-mile drive from Ellensburg, WA, to Bellevue, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours to complete. The majority of your journey, 95%, will be on major highways, primarily I-90 and I-405, offering a straightforward commute. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this route is an economical option for travelers. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory. This highway-focused drive is ideal for those seeking an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 95.7 mi 1h 46m
West University Way 2.1 mi 4m
I 405 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
116th Avenue Southeast 0.4 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
US 97 0.1 mi <1m
West 5th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 95.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg, WA and Bellevue, WA.

1

Start on West 5th Avenue

216 ft · 11 sec · West 5th Avenue
2

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto West University Way

2.1 mi · 4 min · West University Way
4

Enter roundabout onto US 97

110 ft · 6 sec · US 97
5

Continue on US 97

528 ft · 14 sec · US 97
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 90 West
7

Merge onto I 90

96 mi · 1 hr 46 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 405

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 405
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 12 Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast Use the left / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · 116th Avenue Southeast
14

Turn left onto Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right

45 ft · 3 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short 2-hour duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving Ellensburg in the morning to avoid potential afternoon congestion as you approach Bellevue. With no designated stops in the data, you can choose to fuel up before you leave or utilize services along the 101.9-mile stretch as needed. The longest stretch on I-90 is nearly the entire drive, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps midway through that segment. Your fuel cost is estimated at $21, so factor that into your budget.

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 50.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.7 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 22 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.9 miles or 1h 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 36m

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 Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, WA

This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Ellensburg, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 95.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Tanner, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tanner, WA

51 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

South Cle Elum, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tanner, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ellensburg, Washington

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bellevue, Washington

0.2 mi

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ellensburg, Washington

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bellevue, Washington

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 101.9

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 101.9

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14254560010

Visit website

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15099685441

Visit website

Castilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 101.9

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+14256252931

Visit website

The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive mile 80.1

Snoqualmie, Washington

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14258882556

Visit website

Bai Tong Thai Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 101.9

Redmond, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14257478424

Visit website

SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 101.9

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14252027465

Visit website

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 101.9

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 21.8

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 72.8

North Bend, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Circle K Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15099251777

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 58.2

Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 29.1

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Dick and Jane's Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

+15099253224

Visit website

Wilburton Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 101.9

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+14254526914

Visit website

Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 101.9

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14255873300

Visit website

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 and 100.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn right onto North Main Street

Navigation decision point

8
98.6 mi into trip | ~1h 53m 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
98.9 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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
100.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
100.5 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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

$21.33 one way

$42.65 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $22.37 $44.73
premium $5.77 $23.14 $46.28
diesel $5.61 $22.50 $45.00

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: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.6 0 $10.70 $4.89
Efficient EV 25.5 0 $8.92 $4.08
EV Truck/SUV 40.8 0 $14.27 $6.52

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 16, 2026

Origin

Ellensburg, WA

Late night in Ellensburg on Sunday

Local time

3:23 AM

PDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellevue, WA

Late night in Bellevue on Sunday

Local time

3:23 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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a 95% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 95.7 miles on I-90, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, the route does involve a transition onto West University Way and then I-405 as you approach Bellevue. This mix means you'll experience both open highway speeds and the more urban traffic patterns characteristic of the Puget Sound area in its later stages.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.7 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and West University Way. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 12 significant decision points across 101.9 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: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 98.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,545 ft 82 ft

Total Climb

1,211 ft

Total Descent

2,748 ft

Highest Point

2,545 ft

~50.9 mi in

Elevation Range

2,464 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 101.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 95.7 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 98.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Bellevue, WA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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