Connecting the coastal charm of Port Townsend to the northern hub of Bellingham, this 73.4-mile journey is an efficient way to traverse the Pacific Coast region. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your travel path utilizes a blend of State Route 20, I-5, and the essential Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry crossing. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $15, the route is both budget-friendly and straightforward for most travelers. Whether you are moving between these two coastal cities for business or leisure, the drive offers a practical connection without the need for extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.7 miles from Port Townsend, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 20
37.7 mi
59m
I 5
22.7 mi
26m
Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
5.8 mi
35m
Engle Road
3.4 mi
6m
East Holly Street
0.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Dupont Street
0.5 mi
1m
Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Route 20
— 37.7 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Townsend, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on Tyler Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Tyler Street
2
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Jefferson Street
3
Continue on Quincy Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Quincy Street
4
Turn right onto Water Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Water Street
5
Turn left onto WA 20
96 ft·2 sec·Ferry Dock
6
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 20
483 ft·10 sec·Ferry Dock
7
At end of road, turn right onto WA 20
159 ft·3 sec·Port Townsend Slip 2
8
Continue on WA 20
5.8 mi·35 min·Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
9
Continue on WA 20
239 ft·11 sec·State Route 20
10
At end of road, turn left onto Engle Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Engle Road
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Engle Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Engle Road
12
Continue on South Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
13
Turn left onto WA 20
9.5 mi·14 min·State Route 20
14
Turn left onto WA 20
3.1 mi·6 min·State Route 20
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
72 ft·1 sec·State Route 20
16
Continue on WA 20
4.7 mi·6 min·State Route 20
17
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
86 ft·1 sec·State Route 20
18
Continue on WA 20
7.9 mi·14 min·State Route 20
19
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
140 ft·3 sec·State Route 20
20
Continue on WA 20
0.6 mi·1 min·State Route 20
21
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 20
201 ft·4 sec·State Route 20
Toward Anacortes City Center, San Juans FerryUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
17 ft·0 sec·State Route 20
23
Continue on WA 20
12 mi·16 min·State Route 20
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
25
Merge onto I 5
23 mi·26 min·I 5
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward Lakeway Drive
27
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft·9 sec·King Street
28
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Lakeway Drive
29
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Holly Street
30
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft·2 sec·Bay Street
31
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Prospect Street
32
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dupont Street
33
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep in mind that your route relies on the Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry, so checking the departure schedule in advance is the single most important step for a smooth journey. Because there are no designated stops required for this 73.4-mile trek, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. Having your $15 fuel budget prepared ensures you won't need to hunt for stations during the highway portions of your trip. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by focusing on a timely arrival in Bellingham.
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 36.7 miles from Port Townsend, WA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.7 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 16 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellingham, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend, WA
This is one driving day of about 73.4 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Port Townsend, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 20 for about 37.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 36.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|WA 20 / Ferry Dock
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 20 / Ferry Dock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2
At end of road, turn right onto WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
6.7 mi into trip|~37m in|Engle Road
At end of road, turn left onto Engle Road
Navigation decision point
8
36.7 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|WA 20 / State Route 20
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 20 / State Route 20 toward Anacortes City Center, San Juans Ferry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Anacortes City Center, San Juans Ferry
5
36.7 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|WA 20 / State Route 20
Enter roundabout onto WA 20 / State Route 20
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.36 one way
$30.72 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$16.11
$32.22
premium
$5.77
$16.67
$33.34
diesel
$5.61
$16.21
$32.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.42
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Port Townsend, WA
Late night
in Port Townsend on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bellingham, WA
Late night
in Bellingham on Sunday
Local time
3:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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 19m 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 a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a transition from the ferry transit to the faster pace of I-5, providing a mix of coastal navigation and standard interstate driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 37.7 miles along State Route 20, where you can settle into a consistent cruising rhythm. Expect the road personality to shift from the slower-paced, ferry-assisted segments to the higher-speed flow of the interstate system. Overall, the infrastructure is well-suited for a direct, no-nonsense commute between these two Washington locations.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.7 mi on State Route 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 20 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near WA 20 / Ferry Dock.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 73.4 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 0.8 miles (WA 20 / Ferry Dock): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (Engle Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
335 ft0 ft
Total Climb
528 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
335 ft
~62.9 mi in
Elevation Range
335 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Townsend, WA and Bellingham, WA, road signs point toward Anacortes City Center and San Juans Ferry.
Anacortes City Center
36.7 mi in|~1h 29m|via WA 20
San Juans Ferry
36.7 mi in|~1h 29m|via WA 20
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 73.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.7 miles on State Route 20. 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 Bellingham, 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 0.8 miles (WA 20 / Ferry Dock): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (Engle Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellingham, WA before heading back.
