NerdWallet: Bellevue ranks last for worst commute in Greater Seattle area

The Greater Seattle area is well known for having some of the worst commuter traffic in the country, but a study by online consumer company NerdWallet finds those destined for Bellevue suffer less than most.

By Brandon Macz • April 13, 2015 3:59 pm
Commuters make their way across the Interstate 90 floating bridge. NerdWallet ranks Seattle
Commuters make their way across the Interstate 90 floating bridge. NerdWallet ranks Seattle

The Greater Seattle area is well known for having some of the worst commuter traffic in the country, but a study by online consumer company NerdWallet finds those destined for Bellevue suffer less than most.

Much of the congestion on interstates 5 and 405 can be blamed on the 75.4 percent of commuters driving solo, according to NerdWallet, which surveyed 45 cities in the Greater Seattle area with more than 5,000 residents.

Smaller cities tend to suffer greater commute times, gas prices and insurance premiums, while NerdWallet reports larger cities like Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue experience shorter commute times, partly due to the higher concentration of employers.

Bellevue came in 45th in NerdWallet’s ranking, with an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, insurance premium of $977.23 and $3.74 per gallon for gas. Redmond came in just behind Bellevue, while Seattle was ranked 41st.

According to NerdWallet, the top-10 worst commutes in the Greater Seattle area — in order — are Vashon, Graham, Orting, Maple Valley, Bonney Lake, Spanaway, Duvall, Lake Stevens, Enumclaw and Snoqualmie.

Gas prices varied among the 45 cities analyzed by NerdWallet, but averaged $3.68 per gallon, compared to the national average of $3.43 a gallon.