Embark on a 299.1-mile journey from Alderton, Washington, to Spokane Valley, Washington, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the drive on major roads like I-90 and State Route 18. Given its manageable duration, this trip is well-suited as a single-day adventure, with an estimated fuel cost of $63. You'll experience a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it a straightforward transit between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
149.6 miles from Alderton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 299.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a decidedly highway-focused drive, with an overwhelming 99% of the 299.1 miles spent on major arteries like I-90 and the Valley Freeway. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 263.1 miles on I-90. The character of the road remains largely consistent, offering a predictable driving experience without many significant shifts in terrain or road type. This profile means you'll spend most of your time on multi-lane highways, facilitating efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 263.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 299.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (WA 410): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward WA 410 West: Tacoma
Navigation decision point
Toward WA 410 West: Tacoma
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|WA 410
Merge onto WA 410
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Seattle
5
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in|WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
9.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
263.1 mi
4h 46m
State Route 18
24.1 mi
30m
Valley Freeway
6.5 mi
8m
State Route 162
1.1 mi
1m
WA 410
1.1 mi
1m
Orting Highway East
0.5 mi
1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.1 mi
<1m
North Pines Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 263.1 mi, about 4h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alderton, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on WA 162
1.1 mi·1 min·State Route 162
2
Continue on Orting Highway East
0.5 mi·1 min·Orting Highway East
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward WA 410 West: Tacoma
4
Merge onto WA 410
1.1 mi·1 min·WA 410
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward WA 167 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto WA 167
6.5 mi·8 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward WA 18 East: AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi·30 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
11
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
14
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
Plan to depart from Alderton early to maximize your daylight hours for the 5-hour and 36-minute drive to Spokane Valley. With a longest stretch of 263.1 miles on I-90, consider your single planned stop strategically for fuel and a break. The estimated fuel cost of $63 makes budgeting straightforward for this 299.1-mile trip. Given it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but be mindful of potential traffic as you approach Spokane Valley, especially during peak commuting times.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 149.6 miles from Alderton, WA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 66 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.6 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alderton, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alderton, WA
This is one driving day of about 299.1 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Alderton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 263.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.6 mi from Alderton, WA
· 2h 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 149.6 miles from Alderton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 263.1 miles.
Arriving in Spokane Valley, WA
The final approach into Spokane Valley, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Spokane Valley, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Shari's Cafe and Pies
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Moses Lake, Washington
Around the midpoint, short detour
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 192.3
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 20.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.62 one way
$123.24 round trip
$5.23/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.57
$65.55
$131.11
premium
$5.77
$67.96
$135.91
diesel
$5.47
$64.38
$128.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.7
1
$31.41
$14.36
Efficient EV
74.8
0
$26.17
$11.96
EV Truck/SUV
119.6
1
$41.87
$19.14
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Alderton, WA
Afternoon
in Alderton on Friday
Local time
2:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Partly Cloudy
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Afternoon
in Spokane Valley on Friday
Local time
2:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alderton, WA to Spokane Valley, WA covers 299.1 miles and takes about 5h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.6 miles from Alderton, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 299.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (WA 410): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Alderton, WA to Spokane Valley, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
