Car rental Bellingham Airport (BLI)

Once you’ve collected your rental car at Bellingham International Airport, you’ll find it’s a short 15-minute drive to the heart of the city via Marine Drive, which runs parallel to the coast. Once you're there, you'll find a picturesque city overlooking the spectacular Bellingham Bay. 

Bellingham originated from four separate towns which were formed in 1903 to create the modern-day city we know today. The former settlements of Sehome, Whatcom, Bellingham and Fairhaven still retain their own contrasting character which you’ll discover as you explore the city. Most of the city is laid out in a simple grid system, making it easy to navigate if it's your first visit.

To the west you'll find the waterfront, while to the east, SR-542 leads you out of town and towards Mount Baker. I-5 runs north, providing another route to the airport before continuing to the Canadian border, towards Vancouver, while following it south will take you down the Pacific coast in the direction of Seattle and Portland.

You will find plenty of street parking options in downtown Bellingham, which is often free after 5pm, at weekends and on public holidays.

For longer stays, the Commercial Street Parking Garage is within easy reach of most central attractions. The Downtown Bellingham complex is also conveniently placed.

When driving in and around Bellingham, you'll need to follow Washington state laws. All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts, and drivers must stop for school buses that have flashing red lights. Since 2017 it’s been illegal to use a cellphone at the wheel in Washington, even when stopped at an intersection or sitting in traffic.

Speed limits in Washington can vary so watch out for signage outlining this but the general speed for cities and towns is 25mph (40km/h). On state highways this increases to 60mph (96km/h).

Peaceful and relaxing, Bellingham has an array of downtown cultural attractions, while there's plenty to entice you further afield if the great outdoors beckons. Car rental at Bellingham Airport is the perfect way to explore both urban and rural areas.

Artistic endeavours

Start your journey in the downtown area of the city where you’ll find Whatcom Museum of History and Art, a treasure trove of fascinating artifacts. The museum spans three different buildings - Old City Hall, a historic city landmark, the adjacent Syre Education Center, and the newest addition of the Lightcatcher building.  

Innovative in design, the Lightcatcher building is located just a short distance away and houses the museum’s fine art exhibitions. A strikingly futuristic building, it boasts a magnificent 37-foot translucent wall designed to let in as much daylight as possible.

Rise and falls

A short drive east along Lakeway Drive brings you to Whatcom Falls Park, a wonderful 241-acre stretch of park, separating the city from Lake Whatcom. As the name suggests, it boasts majestic waterfalls – four of them, to be precise.

The most popular is Whirlpool Falls, a great spot to sit and picnic, especially in the summer months. You'll also find several kilometres of well-maintained walking trails, meaning you can explore to your heart's content amid the lush greenery. Galbraith Mountain is also a just a short distance away and offers spectacular views along some lengthy trails.

Ocean views

When you rent a car at Bellingham International Airport, you’ll be able to take the journey along Chuckanut Drive. This 32-kilometre section of the Pacific Highway begins near Bow just off I-5 and ends in Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven District, home to red-brick Victorian houses and a charming selection of shops and restaurants.

Along the way, you’ll take in some incredible views of the Chuckanut Mountains and Samish Bay. Stop off at the Oyster Bar or Chuckanut Manor along the way to enjoy a tasty seafood lunch with outstanding views of the water. This route also passes by Larrabee State Park, which posts picture-perfect vistas of the bay and the San Juan Islands.

Day tripping

Bellingham also marks the starting point of the Mount Baker Highway, also known as SR-542, which leads east out of the city. Within just a few kilometres, you’ll pass from urban landscapes to farmland and spectacular mountain views.

From Glacier onward, the route winds through mountainous backdrops as you travel into the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There are numerous hiking trails nearby, including the 10-kilometre Chain Lake Loop where you can see Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker and of course the Chain Lakes.

In winter you can usually drive as far as milepost 55, where you can access the Mount Baker Ski Area, which holds the world record of snowfall in a single season.

With car rental at Bellingham Airport, it’s possible to explore all this and more during your time in Washington.