Trip from Tacoma, 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

49m

Distance

36.4 mi

59 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min

4 AM

0h 46m ★

6 AM

0h 50m

8 AM

0h 58m

10 AM

0h 53m

12 PM

0h 52m

3 PM

0h 53m

5 PM

0h 58m

8 PM

0h 47m

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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Trip Overview

Traveling between Tacoma and Bellevue is a straightforward journey spanning 36.4 miles, typically taking about 49 minutes under normal conditions. Because this trip is so quick, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast locations. Utilizing I-5, I-405, and I-705 keeps the transit efficient, making it a reliable option for commuters or those heading to the Eastside for the day. While this isn't a long-haul adventure, it provides a functional connection across the region that is easy to manage on short notice.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5	20.1 mi	25m
I 405	12.1 mi	15m
I 705	0.8 mi	1m
Main Street	0.7 mi	1m
116th Avenue Southeast	0.4 mi	1m
South 13th Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Market Street	0.1 mi	<1m
South 11th Street	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 5 — 20.1 mi, about 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South 11th Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South 11th Street

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street

Turn left onto South 13th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · South 13th Street

Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp

213 ft · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward Port of Tacoma

Merge onto I 705

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 705

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

20 mi · 25 min · I 5

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec

Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 405

12 mi · 15 min · I 405

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Exit 12 Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward 116th Avenue Southeast Use the left / right lanes.

Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 1 min · 116th Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right

45 ft · 3 sec

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Renton, WA

18 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

Kirkland, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kent, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.2 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 35 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North: Seattle

22.2 mi into trip | ~29m 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...

22.3 mi into trip | ~29m 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

34.8 mi into trip | ~45m 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...

35 mi into trip | ~46m 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

$7.62 one way

$15.24 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$7.99	$15.98
premium	$5.77	$8.27	$16.53
diesel	$5.61	$8.04	$16.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10.9	$3.82	$1.75
Efficient EV	9.1	$3.18	$1.46
EV Truck/SUV	14.6	$5.10	$2.33

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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

Tacoma, WA

Late night in Tacoma on Sunday

Local time

4:30 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellevue, WA

Late night in Bellevue on Sunday

Local time

4:30 AM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

10 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

49m 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 highly efficient, highway-focused experience with 91% of your travel time spent on major interstates. The route feels like a standard metropolitan commute, characterized by fast-moving traffic and wide lanes rather than winding backroads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 20.1 miles specifically on I-5 as you navigate toward your destination. Since the drive is entirely interstate-driven, you can anticipate a consistent, predictable pace from start to finish. It is a no-nonsense path designed for speed and direct access between the two cities.

91% 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: 20.1 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 1.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 36.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 36.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20.1 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 Bellevue, 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.

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.

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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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