How far is Mercer Island, WA from Bellingham, WA?

The driving distance from Mercer Island, WA to Bellingham, WA is about 94.5 miles (152.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.1 miles (133.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m 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
94.53 mi
01h 42m
Flight
83.05 mi
133.66 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mercer Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.05 mi
Kilometers
133.66 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.53 mi
Kilometers
152.13 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bellingham
Sun, Apr 19, 4:50 AM PDT
Return by in Mercer Island
Sun, Apr 19, 6:33 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mercer Island
2026-04-19T03:08
Arrive Bellingham
Sun, Apr 19, 4:50 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mercer Island
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
Smokey Point
WA

Census designated place

From Mercer Island
47.2 mi
00h 51m
To Bellingham
47.3 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph S
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercer Island and Bellingham.

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast 42nd Street

    539 ft · 28 sec · Southeast 42nd Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 86th Avenue Southeast

    1325 ft · 49 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street

    1344 ft · 44 sec · Southeast 40th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Gallagher Hill Road

    1478 ft · 41 sec · Gallagher Hill Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast 36th Street

    2209 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East

    1819 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto East Channel Bridge

    2894 ft · 41 sec · East Channel Bridge

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405: Everett, Renton

    2502 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 405 North: Everett

    3017 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    8.1 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    8.4 mi · 11 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia

    2843 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    70.2 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Lakeway Drive

    725 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto King Street

    144 m · 9 sec · King Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Lakeway Drive

    2003 ft · 1 min · Lakeway Drive

  18. 18

    Continue on East Holly Street

    3179 ft · 2 min · East Holly Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Bay Street

    24 m · 3 sec · Bay Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Prospect Street

    1333 ft · 39 sec · Prospect Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Dupont Street

    2429 ft · 1 min · Dupont Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dupont Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
70.8 mi · 75%
I 405 North
19 mi · 20%
East Holly Street
0.6 mi · 1%
East Channel Bridge
0.55 mi · 1%
Lakeway Drive
0.52 mi · 1%
I 405
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Merge slight left

70.2 mi · 01h 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
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
83.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smokey Point
00h 51m from Mercer Island
Leave By
3:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Mercer Island and Light Rain Likely near Bellingham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mercer Island to Bellingham?

The road trip is about 94.5 miles (152.1 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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 47.2 miles from Mercer Island and 47.3 miles from Bellingham.

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 11.4 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 3:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.48 one way or $34.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Mercer Island and Light Rain Likely near Bellingham.

Stop Ideas Near Smokey Point

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

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

RAIL

Stanwood station

16 mi away
27111 Florence Way
RAIL

Everett Station

19 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.
RAIL

Skagit Transportation Center

33 mi away
105 East Kincaid St.
BUS

Monroe, Washington

36 mi away
118 North Lewis St., Suite 112

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mercer Island and Bellingham. Straight-line distance: 83.05 mi (133.66 km).

Mercer Island

#1 Mercer Island

Island in the United States of America

Population25,912
Coordinates47.5706500, -122.2220700
Altitude102
CountryUnited States
Bellingham

#2 Bellingham

The most populous city in Whatcom County, Washington.

Population93,955
Coordinates48.7595500, -122.4882200
Altitude21
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast 42nd Street (-122.222067, 47.570945)
End: Dupont Street (-122.488104, 48.759626)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 152 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.34 gal
12.63 L · about $17.48
Round trip
$34.96
6.68 gal · 25.26 L
Estimated CO2
29.7 kg one way
Round trip: 59.4 kg / 131 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $17.48 $34.96
Mid-grade $5.57 $18.59 $37.19
Premium $5.77 $19.28 $38.55
Diesel $5.47 $18.26 $36.52

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

There is no time difference between Mercer Island and Bellingham. The current time is 03:08:28.

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.