Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
196.9 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Photo: William Jacobs
The drive from Cle Elum, WA to Spokane, WA covers 196.9 miles and takes about 3h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 1st Street, North Oaks Avenue, I 90 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.5 miles from Cle Elum, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 6m drive with frequent turns across 196.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Oaks Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maple Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 5th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Freeway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 4th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Lincoln Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Cle Elum, WA and Spokane, WA.
Start on the route
Turn right onto West 1st Street
Turn left onto North Oaks Avenue
Take the ramp left toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
Merge slight left
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight right toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
Continue on West 5th Avenue
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
Continue on West 4th Avenue
Continue on West 4th Avenue
Continue on South Lincoln Street
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
Turn right
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.5 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cle Elum, 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 Cle Elum, WA
This is one driving day of about 196.9 miles and 3h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.5 mi from Cle Elum, WA · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 98.5 miles from Cle Elum, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Spokane, 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, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$40.57 one way
$81.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $43.16 | $86.31 |
| premium | $5.77 | $44.74 | $89.47 |
| diesel | $5.47 | $42.38 | $84.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.67 | $9.45 |
| Efficient EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.23 | $7.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.8 | 0 | $27.57 | $12.60 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Cle Elum on Saturday
Local time
4:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
31°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
4:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
34°F
Moses Lake, WA
98 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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