Rainier Valley Coffee Co.
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Puyallup, Washington
Hours: 4 am–6 pm
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 26m
Distance
291.7 mi
469 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pacific, WA
Wikimedia Commons
This 291.7-mile drive from Pacific, WA, to Spokane Valley, WA, is a substantial one-day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 26 minutes. The majority of your journey, 99%, will be on highways, primarily I-90 and State Route 18, making it a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of $61, this route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely exploration. It's a straightforward cross-state transit that can comfortably be completed in a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
145.9 miles from Pacific, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 291.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive across Washington state. You'll spend almost all of your 5h 26m on major routes like I-90 and Valley Freeway. The character of the drive is largely dictated by this interstate focus, with a significant uninterrupted stretch of 263.1 miles on I-90. While this means consistent speed and direct travel, it also suggests a more utilitarian journey rather than a winding, scenic exploration. The landscape will likely shift gradually as you traverse the state, but the primary experience is one of efficient highway travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Milwaukee Boulevard South.
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 291.7 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Milwaukee Boulevard South): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (WA 167 / Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Milwaukee Boulevard South
Navigation decision point
Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 263.1 mi | 4h 46m |
| State Route 18 | 24.1 mi | 30m |
| Valley Freeway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Milwaukee Boulevard South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Ellingson Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Pines Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pacific, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
Start on 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Milwaukee Boulevard South
Turn left onto Ellingson Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 167
Take the exit
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
Take the exit
Turn left onto WA 27
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 26m duration and 291.7 miles, starting your trip in the morning will allow ample time to reach Spokane Valley without feeling rushed. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to break up the longest stretch of 263.1 miles on I-90. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $61, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before hitting longer stretches of highway. While a single day is recommended, the flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference.
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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pacific, 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 Pacific, WA
This is one driving day of about 291.7 miles and 5h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.9 mi from Pacific, WA · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.9 miles from Pacific, 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 263.1 miles.
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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Puyallup, Washington
Hours: 4 am–6 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Federal Way, Washington
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12064605185
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Spokane, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18337484267
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Spokane Valley, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18663003827
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Spokane Valley, Washington
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Spokane, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
North Bend, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15099251777
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Spokane Valley, Washington
Hours: 2–9 pm
+15092423831
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Edgewood, Washington
Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Sumner, Washington
Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm
+12538916500
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$61.05 one way
$122.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $64.02 | $128.05 |
| premium | $5.77 | $66.24 | $132.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.40 | $128.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.63 | $14.00 |
| Efficient EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.52 | $11.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.7 | 1 | $40.84 | $18.67 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Pacific on Friday
Local time
9:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Spokane Valley on Friday
Local time
9:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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