The Cost of Driving From Bellevue, Washington to Seattle, Washington

Driving from Bellevue to Seattle isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It's an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're commuting to work, visiting friends and family, or just sightseeing, it's important to know the cost of driving in this area. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes from Bellevue to Seattle and the cost of each trip based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-90 W and I-5 N

The first route we'll explore is the most direct route, which is taking I-90 W and then merging onto I-5 N. At approximately 11 miles, the drive should take around 20 minutes without traffic. However, if you're driving during rush hour, it can easily add another 15-20 minutes to your drive.

The cost of this route will depend on the toll prices. The toll for the SR-520 bridge is $4.35 during peak hours. The cost of gas also plays an important role. According to GasBuddy, a gallon of regular gas in Bellevue currently costs $3.25. Based on a car with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be around $14. That, combined with the toll prices, makes the total cost of this route about $18.35.

Route 2: I-405 S and I-5 N

The second route we'll explore is taking I-405 S and then merging onto I-5 N. This route is longer than Route 1, at approximately 16 miles, but it's a good alternative if traffic is heavy on Route 1. The drive should take around 30 minutes without traffic. With traffic, the drive can take between 30-45 minutes.

The cost of this route does not have toll prices. However, the cost of gas is the same as in Route 1, around $14 for the trip. This makes the total cost of this route around $14.

Route 3: Mercer Island and I-90 W

The third route we'll explore is taking Mercer Island and then merging onto I-90 W. This route is approximately 13 miles, and the drive should take around 25 minutes without traffic. With traffic, the drive can take between 25-35 minutes.

The cost of this route has a toll for the Mercer Island toll bridge. The cost is $4.35 during peak hours. As in the previous routes, the cost of gas for this route should be around $14. This, combined with the toll prices, makes the total cost of this route about $18.35.

Route 4: SR-520 W and I-5 N

The fourth route we'll explore is taking SR-520 W and then merging onto I-5 N. This route is longer than Route 1, but it's a good alternative if traffic is heavy on the I-90 bridge. Approximately 14 miles, the drive should take around 25-30 minutes without traffic. With traffic, the drive can take between 25-40 minutes.

The cost of this route has a toll for the SR-520 bridge. The cost is $4.35 during peak hours. As in the previous routes, the cost of gas for this route should be around $14. This, combined with the toll prices, makes the total cost of this route about $18.35.

In conclusion, the cost of driving from Bellevue to Seattle will depend on your route, gas prices, and toll prices. Above, we've explored four different routes and provided the distance, time, and cost of each of them. Whatever route you choose, remember to enjoy the scenery and drive safely!