How far is Bellingham, WA from Ellensburg, WA?

The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Ellensburg, WA is about 190 miles (305.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.4 miles (243.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
190 mi
03h 46m
Flight
151.4 mi
243.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bellingham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.4 mi
Kilometers
243.65 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
190 mi
Kilometers
305.77 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 03h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellensburg
Tue, Jun 2, 3:23 AM PDT
Return by in Bellingham
Tue, Jun 2, 7:10 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bellingham
2026-06-01T23:36
Arrive Ellensburg
Tue, Jun 2, 3:23 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:26 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bellingham
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
West Lake Sammamish
WA

Census designated place

From Bellingham
94.9 mi
01h 53m
To Ellensburg
95.1 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 11:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph WNW
Destination
48°F
Tonight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 PM PDT
Wind
0 to 6 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bellingham and Ellensburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham and Ellensburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Dupont Street

    2418 ft · 1 min · Dupont Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Prospect Street

    1102 ft · 38 sec · Prospect Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Champion Street

    107 m · 12 sec · West Champion Street

  4. 4

    Continue on West Magnolia Street

    2616 ft · 1 min · West Magnolia Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Ellis Street

    700 ft · 27 sec · Ellis Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Lakeway Drive

    1207 ft · 49 sec · Lakeway Drive

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Seattle

    1346 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    69.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton

    1.5 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    17.1 mi · 21 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle

    2527 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Spokane

    2797 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    95.7 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 97 North: Ellensburg, Wenatchee

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    2660 ft · 56 sec

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Dolarway Road

    4 m · 1 sec · North Dolarway Road

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto North Dolarway Road

    1.3 mi · 4 min · North Dolarway Road

  19. 19

    Continue on North Railroad Avenue

    1623 ft · 47 sec · North Railroad Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West 5th Avenue

    2635 ft · 2 min · West 5th Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bellingham and Ellensburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
96.2 mi · 51%
I 5 South
69.9 mi · 37%
I 405 South
18.9 mi · 10%
North Dolarway Road
1.34 mi · 1%
US 97 North
0.77 mi
West 5th Avenue
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Merge slight left

95.7 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.6 mi
151.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Lake Sammamish
01h 53m from Bellingham
Leave By
9:26 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Bellingham and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bellingham to Ellensburg?

The road trip is about 190 miles (305.8 km) and usually takes 03h 46m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

West Lake Sammamish is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.9 miles from Bellingham and 95.1 miles from Ellensburg.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 151.4 miles (243.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:26 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.06 one way or $70.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Bellingham and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.

Stop Ideas Near West Lake Sammamish

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around West Lake Sammamish and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 9.9 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8 mi away

Renton City Human Services

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews Social services organization
Renton City Hall
Meeting point 7.9 mi away

Renton City Hall

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 2.1/5 14 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 8 mi away

Renton Police Department

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 2.8/5 25 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Lake Sammamish.

RAIL

Tukwila station

17 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

17 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

19 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

Edmonds station

33 mi away
211 Railroad Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Ellensburg. Straight-line distance: 151.4 mi (243.65 km).

Bellingham

#1 Bellingham

The most populous city in Whatcom County, Washington.

Population93,955
Coordinates48.7595500, -122.4882200
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Ellensburg

#2 Ellensburg

City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States

Population21,576
Coordinates46.9965100, -120.5478500
Altitude470
CountryUnited States
Start: Bellingham (-122.48822, 48.75955)
End: Ellensburg (-120.54785, 46.99651)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 306 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.7 gal
25.38 L · about $35.06
Round trip
$70.12
13.4 gal · 50.76 L
Estimated CO2
59.5 kg one way
Round trip: 119.1 kg / 263 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $35.06 $70.12
Mid-grade $5.57 $37.30 $74.60
Premium $5.77 $38.67 $77.33
Diesel $5.47 $36.63 $73.26

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Bellingham and Ellensburg. The current time is 23:36:28.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.