Morton, WA to Spokane, WA is 306.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m via I 90, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive travels across Washington State, taking you from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. It's a straightforward, efficient route designed for covering ground quickly. Consider this trip if you need a direct path between these two points without extensive detours.
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
153.1 miles from Morton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 306.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway drive, with 99% of the journey on major roads like I 90, US 12, and I 82. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 168.1 miles on I 90. The character is predominantly that of an efficient interstate journey, designed for steady progress. While the focus is on speed and directness, you'll experience the transition across Washington's diverse landscapes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 168.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 12.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 12): Navigation decision point; at 105.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in|US 12
At end of road, turn left onto US 12
Navigation decision point
5
105.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensbur...
5
105.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
136 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
5
304.7 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Morton, WA to Spokane, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Ellensburg along the way.
Ellensburg
105.2 mi in|~2h 5m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
168.1 mi
3h
US 12
104.7 mi
2h 4m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
2nd Street
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
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 168.1 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morton, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on WA 7
0.5 mi·46 sec·2nd Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 12
88 mi·1 hr 42 min·US 12
3
Continue on US 12
17 mi·22 min·US 12
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensburg
5
Turn straight onto WA 823
100 ft·1 sec·Selah Road
6
Take the ramp
111 ft·2 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi·32 min·I 82; US 97
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
10
Merge onto I 90
166 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 90
11
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
13
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
14
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
15
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
16
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
17
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
19
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
20
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
21
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 6 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight and flexibility. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 168.1 miles on I 90, to ensure you don't have to pull over unexpectedly.
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 153.1 miles from Morton, WA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.1 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.1 miles or 2h 58m 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 43m
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 Morton, 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 Morton, WA
This is one driving day of about 306.1 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Morton, 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 168.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.1 mi from Morton, WA
· 2h 58m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mount Rainier National Park
National Park
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning fi...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$30
near mile 42.2
Park Closure: Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, projected to open tomorrow
Park Closure: SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.06 one way
$128.13 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$67.19
$134.37
premium
$5.77
$69.51
$139.02
diesel
$5.61
$67.58
$135.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.8
1
$32.14
$14.69
Efficient EV
76.5
0
$26.78
$12.24
EV Truck/SUV
122.4
1
$42.85
$19.59
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Morton, WA
Morning
in Morton on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Morning
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
5h 45m 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 Morton, WA to Spokane, WA covers 306.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 12, I 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.1 miles from Morton, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.06 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 12): Navigation decision point; at 105.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Morton, WA to Spokane, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Ellensburg along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Mount Rainier National 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
