Quick answer
Downtown Bellevue to downtown Seattle is approximately 10 miles by road.
| Route | Distance | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR-520 floating bridge | 10 miles | 15–20 min | 35–55 min |
| I-90 floating bridge | 12 miles | 18–25 min | 30–50 min |
| Link light rail (2 Line) | — | ~20 min | ~20 min |
| Straight-line distance | 7 miles | — | — |
The two cities are separated by Lake Washington, which is why the driving distance exceeds the straight-line distance. Only two bridges cross the lake between them, and both are floating bridges.
The two bridges
SR-520 (Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge) The northern crossing, connecting Bellevue and Redmond to Montlake and the University District. At 7,710 feet, it is the longest floating bridge in the world.
This is a tolled route. Tolls vary by time of day and payment method, generally ranging from about $1.25 to $4.75 each way with a Good To Go! pass, higher without one. Pay-by-mail adds a surcharge.
SR-520 is usually the faster route to north Seattle, the U District, and Capitol Hill.
I-90 (Homer M. Hadley and Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridges) The southern crossing, connecting Bellevue and Mercer Island to south Seattle and the stadium district. Not tolled.
I-90 is usually the better route to downtown Seattle proper, SoDo, West Seattle, and points south. It also passes through Mercer Island, which is itself a common destination.
Which to take: if your destination is north of downtown, SR-520 is generally faster despite the toll. If your destination is downtown or south of it, I-90 is usually better and free.
Drive times by time of day
Real-world travel times from downtown Bellevue to downtown Seattle:
| Departure time | Typical drive time |
|---|---|
| 5:30 – 6:30 AM | 15–20 minutes |
| 7:00 – 9:00 AM | 35–55 minutes |
| 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM | 18–28 minutes |
| 3:30 – 6:30 PM | 30–50 minutes |
| After 7:00 PM | 15–22 minutes |
| Weekends | 18–30 minutes |
Reverse commute matters. Traffic is directional. Morning congestion is heaviest westbound into Seattle; evening congestion is heaviest eastbound toward Bellevue. Someone living in Seattle and working in Bellevue faces lighter traffic in both directions than someone doing the reverse.
Weather is a real variable. Both bridges are floating structures. High winds occasionally trigger closures, and the SR-520 bridge has a documented closure protocol for sustained winds above 50 mph. This is uncommon but not rare.
Light rail: the 2 Line
Sound Transit's 2 Line connects Bellevue and Redmond to Seattle across the I-90 floating bridge — the first light rail line in the world to run on a floating bridge.
Bellevue stations: Bellevue Downtown, East Main, South Bellevue, Wilburton, Spring District, BelRed, Overlake Village, Redmond Technology.
Travel time from Bellevue Downtown to downtown Seattle: approximately 20 minutes, consistent regardless of traffic.
Fare: roughly $2.50 to $3.50 depending on distance, with an ORCA card.
For commuters, this is the most significant change to the Bellevue-Seattle connection in decades. A predictable 20-minute trip removes the primary friction point that made cross-lake commuting difficult.
Bus options
Sound Transit and King County Metro run frequent express service between Bellevue and Seattle.
- Route 550 — Bellevue Transit Center to downtown Seattle via I-90
- Route 545 — Redmond and Overlake to downtown Seattle via SR-520
- Route 271 — Issaquah, Bellevue, and the University District
Bus travel time runs 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, since buses share general-purpose lanes on parts of the route.
Cycling
The I-90 bridge has a dedicated protected bike and pedestrian path on its south side, connecting Bellevue and Mercer Island to Seattle's I-90 trail. The full ride from downtown Bellevue to downtown Seattle is roughly 12 to 14 miles and takes 50 to 75 minutes depending on pace.
The SR-520 bridge also has a bike and pedestrian path on its north side, connecting to the SR-520 Trail.
Distances to other Eastside cities
From downtown Seattle:
| Destination | Distance | Off-peak drive |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 10 miles | 15–20 min |
| Mercer Island | 8 miles | 12–18 min |
| Kirkland | 13 miles | 20–28 min |
| Redmond | 16 miles | 25–35 min |
| Bothell | 17 miles | 25–35 min |
| Issaquah | 18 miles | 25–35 min |
| Sammamish | 20 miles | 28–40 min |
| Renton | 12 miles | 18–30 min |
| Woodinville | 20 miles | 30–40 min |
From downtown Bellevue:
| Destination | Distance | Off-peak drive |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland | 6 miles | 12–18 min |
| Redmond | 7 miles | 12–20 min |
| Bothell | 11 miles | 18–25 min |
| Issaquah | 10 miles | 15–20 min |
| Sammamish | 9 miles | 15–25 min |
| Renton | 10 miles | 15–25 min |
| SeaTac Airport | 20 miles | 25–35 min |
What this means if you are choosing where to live
The Bellevue-Seattle commute is genuinely manageable in one direction and genuinely frustrating in the other, and which is which depends on your schedule.
If you work in Seattle and are considering Bellevue: the westbound morning commute is the hard one. Model it honestly — drive it at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday before you commit. If you can live near a 2 Line station, light rail removes most of the problem.
If you work in Bellevue or Redmond and are considering Seattle: the reverse commute is meaningfully easier. Many people do this comfortably.
If you work remotely or hybrid: the commute question becomes a lifestyle question instead. Bellevue offers a top-ranked school district, very low crime, and newer infrastructure. Seattle offers denser neighborhoods, more established commercial districts, and more urban character.
If you commute daily during peak hours in either direction: proximity to a light rail station is worth more than almost any other locational factor right now.
Common questions
How far is Bellevue from Seattle? About 10 miles by road via SR-520, or 12 miles via I-90. Roughly 7 miles in a straight line across Lake Washington.
How long does it take to drive from Seattle to Bellevue? Fifteen to 20 minutes off-peak. Thirty to 55 minutes during rush hour, depending on direction and route.
Is Bellevue part of Seattle? No. Bellevue is a separate incorporated city in King County with its own government, school district, and police department. It is the fifth-largest city in Washington State.
Do you have to pay a toll to get from Bellevue to Seattle? Only on SR-520. The I-90 bridge is free.
Can you take light rail from Bellevue to Seattle? Yes. Sound Transit's 2 Line connects Bellevue and Redmond to Seattle in approximately 20 minutes.
Which bridge is faster, I-90 or SR-520? It depends on your destination. SR-520 is generally faster to north Seattle and the U District. I-90 is generally faster to downtown, SoDo, and south Seattle, and it has no toll.
Is Bellevue considered the Eastside? Yes. "The Eastside" refers to the communities east of Lake Washington, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Bothell, Woodinville, and Mercer Island.
What is the difference between living in Bellevue and Seattle? Bellevue offers a top-ranked school district, lower crime rates, newer infrastructure, and higher home prices. Seattle offers denser walkable neighborhoods, more established commercial districts, and more variable school quality. See our full comparison.
Drive it before you decide
The single best piece of advice we give buyers weighing a cross-lake move is to drive the actual commute at the actual time you would be doing it. Distance on a map tells you almost nothing here.
Talk to a Tribeca NW agent about where to buy →
Related reading: Living in Seattle vs. Bellevue → | Seattle vs. Bellevue: the 2026 commute showdown → | Living in Bellevue, WA in 2026 →
Travel times are typical estimates and vary with conditions, incidents, and construction. Toll rates change — verify current rates with the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Tribeca NW Real Estate serves buyers and sellers across Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Seattle, and the greater Puget Sound region. 1,675 homes closed. $1B+ in volume. 875+ five-star reviews.
Check out this article next
