How far is Bellingham, WA from Mercer Island, WA?
The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Mercer Island, WA is about 93.8 miles (151 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.1 miles (133.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m 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 01h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bellingham and Mercer Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham and Mercer Island.
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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
69.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
1.5 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right
17.1 mi · 21 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
2527 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Seattle
964 ft · 24 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Bellevue Way, Seattle, Mercer Island
1226 ft · 30 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Seattle, Mercer Island
2260 ft · 55 sec
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16
Merge slight left
2593 ft · 37 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward East Mercer Way
1561 ft · 46 sec
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18
Turn left onto East Mercer Way
101 m · 11 sec · East Mercer Way
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19
Turn sharp right onto Southeast 36th Street
2214 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street
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20
Continue on Gallagher Hill Road
1478 ft · 43 sec · Gallagher Hill Road
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21
Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street
1344 ft · 46 sec · Southeast 40th Street
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22
Turn left onto 86th Avenue Southeast
1325 ft · 53 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast
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23
Turn left onto Southeast 42nd Street
539 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bellingham and Mercer Island.
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
69.6 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Bellingham and Chance Light Rain near Mercer Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bellingham to Mercer Island?
The road trip is about 93.8 miles (151 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Smokey Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.9 miles from Bellingham and 47 miles from Mercer Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.1 miles (133.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 2:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.32 one way or $34.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Bellingham and Chance Light Rain near Mercer Island.
Stop Ideas Near Smokey Point
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 Smokey Point.
Stanwood station
Everett Station
Skagit Transportation Center
Monroe, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Mercer Island. Straight-line distance: 83.05 mi (133.66 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 Mercer Island
Island in the United States of America
| Population | 25,912 |
| Coordinates | 47.5706500, -122.2220700 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mercer Island (-122.22207, 47.57065)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 151 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $17.32 | $34.64 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $18.43 | $36.85 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $19.10 | $38.20 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $18.10 | $36.19 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.