How far is Bellingham, WA from Tumwater, WA?
The driving distance from Bellingham, WA to Tumwater, WA is about 151.6 miles (244 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Snohomish County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bellingham and Tumwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham and Tumwater.
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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
118.6 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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9
Keep slight right
29.8 mi · 37 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Deschutes Way, 2nd Avenue
1462 ft · 38 sec
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11
Continue on North 2nd Avenue Southwest
152 m · 17 sec · North 2nd Avenue Southwest
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12
Turn left onto Custer Way Southwest
623 ft · 16 sec · Custer Way Southwest
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13
Turn right onto Boston Street Southeast
679 ft · 21 sec · Boston Street Southeast
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Deschutes Way Southwest
1371 ft · 28 sec · Deschutes Way Southwest
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15
Turn left onto E Street Southwest
52 m · 3 sec · E Street Southwest
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16
Turn slight right
60 m · 9 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Capitol Boulevard Southeast
1779 ft · 47 sec · Capitol Boulevard Southeast
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18
Turn right onto Linwood Avenue Southwest
124 m · 11 sec · Linwood Avenue Southwest
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19
Turn slight right
16 m · 3 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bellingham and Tumwater.
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
119 mi · 02h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bellingham and Partly Sunny near Tumwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bellingham to Tumwater?
The road trip is about 151.6 miles (244 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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 75.7 miles from Bellingham and 75.9 miles from Tumwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 10:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.00 one way or $55.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bellingham and Partly Sunny near Tumwater.
Stop Ideas Near Mountlake Terrace
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 Mountlake Terrace.
Edmonds station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
King Street Station
Everett Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bellingham and Tumwater. Straight-line distance: 122.63 mi (197.35 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 Tumwater
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
| Population | 24,272 |
| Coordinates | 47.0073200, -122.9093100 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tumwater (-122.90931, 47.00732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $28.00 | $55.99 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $29.78 | $59.57 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $30.87 | $61.75 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $29.25 | $58.50 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.