Origin
Cle Elum, WA
Night in Cle Elum on Sunday
Local time
9:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cle Elum, WA to Spokane, WA
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
197.1 mi
317 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Connecting Cle Elum to Spokane, this 197.1-mile journey is an efficient trip that typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you choose to linger. You should budget approximately $41 for fuel to cover the distance across Washington. Since both endpoints are located within the Pacific Coast region, the drive maintains a consistent environmental feel from start to finish. It is a straightforward, practical route that serves as a reliable link between these two locations.
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
98.6 miles from Cle Elum, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 99% of your travel occurs on major highways. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel—specifically 194.9 miles—will be spent on I-90, which dictates the character of the entire drive. This is a classic interstate grind rather than a winding backroad journey, allowing for steady speeds and predictable navigation. As you transition onto South Lincoln Street and North Oaks Avenue near your destination, the pace slows down briefly to navigate the local infrastructure. You will find this to be a consistent, high-speed transit route that prioritizes directness over technical driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 194.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and North Oaks Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 903 / West 1st Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 35m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 903 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 903 / West 1st Street
Turn right onto WA 903 / West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
Navigation decision point
Toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
195.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Str...
5
197.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 194.9 mi | 3h 29m |
| North Oaks Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Lincoln Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Freeway Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Main Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 5th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 194.9 mi, about 3h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cle Elum, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on this road
146 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto WA 903
306 ft
·
17 sec
·
West 1st Street
3
Turn left onto North Oaks Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Oaks Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
5
Merge onto I 90
193 mi
·
3 hr 27 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90; US 2; US 395
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
8
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
9
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
10
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
11
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
12
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Main Avenue
14
Turn right
26 ft
·
8 sec
15
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Gorge Trail
16
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
Given the 3.5-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though leaving early in the day can help you avoid any potential peak-hour congestion. Plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 197.1-mile trek to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Since the road is dominated by a single long stretch on I-90, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Cle Elum to ensure you don't run low during the long highway haul. Being prepared for a mostly interstate drive means you can focus on maintaining a steady pace, making it easy to reach Spokane by mid-day or early evening.
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 98.6 miles from Cle Elum, WA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.9 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.6 miles or 1h 46m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 197.1 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cle Elum, 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 194.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.6 mi from Cle Elum, WA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.6 miles from Cle Elum, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 194.9 miles.
Arriving in Spokane, WA
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.37 one way
$82.74 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $43.20 | $86.40 |
| premium | $5.77 | $44.78 | $89.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.79 | $87.58 |
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: 69 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.70 | $9.46 |
| Efficient EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.25 | $7.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.8 | 0 | $27.59 | $12.61 |
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.
Destination
Spokane, WA
Night in Spokane on Sunday
Local time
9:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cle Elum, WA to Spokane, WA covers 197.1 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, North Oaks Avenue, South Lincoln Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.6 miles from Cle Elum, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.37 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 35m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 903 / West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cle Elum, WA to Spokane, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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