Car rental Bellingham, WA

Coastal highways and scenic drives make Bellingham an extraordinary experience. Venture around the quaint port town or head into the national parks and mountains close to the border with Canada.

I-5 is the primary west coast highway, linking Bellingham International Airport with the city. Head south and cruise past golf resorts and country clubs, charming inns and parks, then exit on Sunset Drive to the east to reach the marina. Head north along the I-5 then onto a network of winding coastal roads to reach Birch Bay for a relaxing day by the beach.

Whatcom Falls Park is located to the east, close to Whatcom Lake. Take Lakeway Drive to reach the sprawling city park or carry on for Geneva.

Lummi Island is another beautiful location. Drive to Gooseberry Point along Marine Drive and take a ferry from Fishermans Cove to reach this rugged isle.

The Chuckanut Mountains are located by the Salish Sea in the south. Chuckanut Drive is the most iconic scenic road in the area, where you can cruise along a forested coast, overlooking the ocean.

If you prefer to chase nature a little further afield, use the Mount Baker Highway (WA-542) to reach star ski resorts in the Snoqualmie Pass.

Bellingham car rental is a popular way to tour the impressive sights, from coastal beauty to snow-capped mountains. You can even reach the city of Seattle in just over an hour using I-5 south.

Driving in Washington is similar to other U.S. states, but the region has strict distracted driving laws, so you cannot use a hand-held device while driving.

The maximum speed limit in Washington State is 70mph (112km/h) but this can drop as low as 25mph (40km/h) on urban streets. On most county roads the posted limit is 50mph (80km/h). Always check speed limit signs to make sure you’re driving within the law.

Bellingham is Washington’s northern frontier, with plenty of unspoilt natural beauty to discover.

Rent a car in Bellingham to find a treasure trail of beautiful spots and a town filled with personality.

Touring the town

Bellingham is a beautiful city, where life seems to move at a slower pace. There are a number of leading attractions in the sprawling streets beneath the mountains, from historic museums to classic American dining.

Inside the Arts District, Mount Baker Theatre is the crowning jewel. Here you can see family, comedy or musical shows in a regal century-old venue.

The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention showcases the town’s quirky spirit. Take the whole family to see unique and rare collections all dedicated to the early electrical pioneers. You can see Edison light bulbs, telegraphs and early Herzian-wave devices.

The Fairhaven Historic District is a haven for history buffs. Enjoy cultural events about literature or film, or simply take a stroll through some of Bellingham’s oldest architecture.

Whatcom Falls Park

Known for the magnificent Whirlpool Falls, Whatcom Falls Park is a sprawling garden where forests and nature stretch for five kilometres. There are several great trails for hiking, plus sport fields and a fishing pond for children.

The Whatcom Museum of History and Art is also worth a visit. Blending nature with knowledge, enjoy delving into topics like biodiversity, the ivory trade and tribal cultures of the Pacific Northwest.

Find a paradise island

Though there’s plenty of nature on Bellingham’s doorstep, the rugged coast around the town is simply too good to miss.

Take the magnificent coastal road south to find a rocky coastline with several barrier islands that are accessible by road.

Samish Island is unspoilt, with even more oceanside roads. Head here at sunset for a spectacle of colour or pitch up a tent in one of the camping parks for a clear view of the stars.

Fidalgo Island is a larger frontier and the ocean views are even more impressive. Washington Park and Deception Pass are some of the most spectacular sites on this picturesque isle.

For an even more adventurous journey into the wonders of the Washington Coast, venture northwards to Lummi Island, where untouched rocky beaches surround wild and adventurous camping spots. Take a short ferry to the tiny islet, then look for the legendary petroglyph rock on Sunset Beach.

Escape to the mountains

A trip to Bellingham isn’t complete without a journey into the surrounding mountains.

Irresistibly impressive hiking trails and glistening lakes await at Chuckanut Mountains. It’s the perfect place to walk, climb or create vacation snaps worth showing off.

Mount Baker in the Cascades Range is the star of the show and rightly so. Adventurous road trippers will find it difficult to resist the allure of this stratovolcano, which boasts impressive ski slopes for beginners and enthusiasts.

Cranberry Lake is also a tourist favourite and the peaceful Clayton Beach is a serene and isolated beach with ashen sands and mountain views in every direction.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the mountains or a sleepy seaside tour, Bellingham car rental is the best way to see it all.