How far is Bellingham, WA from Des Moines, WA?
The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Des Moines, WA is about 104.4 miles (168 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.1 miles (151.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 13m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bellingham and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham and Des Moines.
-
1
Start on Dupont Street
2418 ft · 1 min · Dupont Street
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2
Continue on Prospect Street
1102 ft · 38 sec · Prospect Street
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3
Turn left onto West Champion Street
107 m · 12 sec · West Champion Street
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4
Continue on West Magnolia Street
2616 ft · 1 min · West Magnolia Street
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5
Turn right onto Ellis Street
700 ft · 27 sec · Ellis Street
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6
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
1207 ft · 49 sec · Lakeway Drive
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Seattle
1346 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left
90.7 mi · 1 hr 48 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Corson Avenue, Michigan Street
1.2 km · 2 min
-
10
Turn straight onto Corson Avenue South
154 m · 17 sec · Corson Avenue South
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11
Turn straight
72 m · 8 sec
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12
Turn slight right onto South Michigan Street
2474 ft · 1 min · South Michigan Street
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward WA 99 South, WA 509 South: 1st Avenue South Bridge
1738 ft · 37 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto 1st Avenue South Bridge
2037 ft · 39 sec · 1st Avenue South Bridge
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15
Continue on Burien
6.6 mi · 8 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Des Moines, South 188th Street
2347 ft · 37 sec
-
17
Turn left onto Des Moines Memorial Drive South
596 ft · 13 sec · Des Moines Memorial Drive South
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18
Continue on Des Moines Memorial Drive South
2.1 mi · 5 min · Des Moines Memorial Drive South
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19
Turn left onto Marine View Drive South
2661 ft · 1 min · Marine View Drive South
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20
Turn left onto South 223rd Street
21 m · 5 sec · South 223rd Street
-
21
Turn right
13 m · 3 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bellingham and Des Moines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 South
Merge slight left
90.7 mi · 01h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bellingham and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bellingham to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 104.4 miles (168 km) and usually takes 02h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
North Marysville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.2 miles from Bellingham and 52.3 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.1 miles (151.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.31 one way or $38.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bellingham and Mostly Sunny near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near North Marysville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Marysville.
Everett Station
Stanwood station
Monroe, Washington
Monroe (Eastbound), WA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 94.12 mi (151.47 km).
#1 Bellingham
The most populous city in Whatcom County, Washington.
| Population | 93,955 |
| Coordinates | 48.7595500, -122.4882200 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
City in Washington
| Population | 32,389 |
| Coordinates | 47.4017700, -122.3242900 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
End: Des Moines (-122.32429, 47.40177)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $20.54 | $41.08 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $21.29 | $42.59 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $20.17 | $40.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.