How far is Bellingham, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
123.53 mi
02h 05m
Flight
104.12 mi
167.57 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bellingham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.12 mi
Kilometers
167.57 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.53 mi
Kilometers
198.81 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Fri, May 1, 2:31 AM PDT
Return by in Bellingham
Fri, May 1, 4:36 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bellingham
2026-05-01T00:25
Arrive Tacoma
Fri, May 1, 2:31 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:18 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bellingham
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Everett
WA

The most populous city in Snohomish County, Washington.

From Bellingham
61.1 mi
01h 02m
To Tacoma
62.4 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SSW
Destination
67°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

    785 ft · 19 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station

    102 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center

    2087 ft · 51 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right

    1554 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

    1048 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on South 15th Street

    1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

    1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
119 mi · 96%
I 705 North
0.75 mi · 1%
West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
Dupont Street
0.46 mi
A Street
0.29 mi
Tacoma Avenue South
0.29 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 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.

Drive Time
02h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
104.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Everett
01h 02m from Bellingham
Leave By
2:18 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Bellingham and Partly Sunny near Tacoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?

Everett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.1 miles from Bellingham and 62.4 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 2:18 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.82 one way or $45.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Bellingham and Partly Sunny near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Everett

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Everett, 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 Everett.

RAIL

Everett Station

1 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.
BUS

Monroe, Washington

22 mi away
118 North Lewis St., Suite 112
BUS

Monroe (Eastbound), WA

22 mi away
19746 US Highway 2
RAIL

Edmonds station

23 mi away
211 Railroad Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 104.12 mi (167.57 km).

Bellingham

#1 Bellingham

The most populous city in Whatcom County, Washington.

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

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Dupont Street (-122.488104, 48.759626)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 199 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.36 gal
16.5 L · about $22.82
Round trip
$45.63
8.72 gal · 33 L
Estimated CO2
38.7 kg one way
Round trip: 77.5 kg / 171 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $22.82 $45.63
Mid-grade $5.57 $24.27 $48.54
Premium $5.77 $25.16 $50.32
Diesel $5.47 $23.84 $47.67

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Bellingham and Tacoma. The current time is 00:25:28.

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.