How far is Bellingham, WA from Olympia, WA?

The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Olympia, WA is about 149.8 miles (241 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.5 miles (193.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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
149.75 mi
03h 06m
Flight
120.48 mi
193.9 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
120.48 mi
Kilometers
193.9 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.75 mi
Kilometers
241 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Olympia
Thu, Apr 16, 9:53 AM PDT
Return by in Bellingham
Thu, Apr 16, 12:59 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bellingham
2026-04-16T06:46
Arrive Olympia
Thu, Apr 16, 9:53 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 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
10:48 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Mountlake Terrace
WA

City in Snohomish County, Washington, United States

From Bellingham
74.8 mi
01h 33m
To Olympia
74.9 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SSW
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 · 14 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 · 29 sec · Ellis Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Lakeway Drive

    1207 ft · 51 sec · Lakeway Drive

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Seattle

    1346 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    118.6 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    28 mi · 35 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward State Capitol, Olympia City Center

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Port of Olympia

    2695 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto 14th Avenue Southeast

    637 ft · 22 sec · 14th Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue Southeast

    37 m · 2 sec · 14th Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast

    1208 ft · 24 sec · 14th Avenue Southeast

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Capitol Way South

    847 ft · 14 sec · Capitol Way South

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Capitol Way South

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
147 mi · 98%
Port of Olympia
0.51 mi
West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
Dupont Street
0.46 mi
14th Avenue Southeast
0.37 mi
State Capitol
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

119 mi · 02h 23m

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 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.3 mi
120.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mountlake Terrace
01h 33m from Bellingham
Leave By
10:48 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bellingham and Mostly Sunny near Olympia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 149.8 miles (241 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?

Mountlake Terrace is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.8 miles from Bellingham and 74.9 miles from Olympia.

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

The direct path is about 120.5 miles (193.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.63 one way or $55.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bellingham and Mostly Sunny near Olympia.

Stop Ideas Near Mountlake Terrace

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mountlake Terrace, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mountlake Terrace.

RAIL

Edmonds station

6 mi away
211 Railroad Ave.
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

20 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

King Street Station

21 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
RAIL

Everett Station

22 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Olympia. Straight-line distance: 120.48 mi (193.9 km).

Bellingham

#1 Bellingham

The most populous city in Whatcom County, Washington.

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

#2 Olympia

The capital of Washington state.

Population53,620
Coordinates47.0378700, -122.9007000
Altitude29
CountryUnited States
Start: Bellingham (-122.48822, 48.75955)
End: Olympia (-122.9007, 47.03787)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 241 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.28 gal
20 L · about $27.63
Round trip
$55.26
10.56 gal · 40 L
Estimated CO2
46.9 kg one way
Round trip: 93.8 kg / 207 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $27.63 $55.26
Mid-grade $5.57 $29.39 $58.79
Premium $5.77 $30.47 $60.94
Diesel $5.47 $28.87 $57.73

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Bellingham and Olympia. The current time is 06:46:57.

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.