Skip to main content

Trip from Port Ludlow, WA to Spokane, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 54m

Distance

355.4 mi

572 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 43m ★
6 AM
6h 54m
8 AM
7h 17m
10 AM
7h 2m
12 PM
7h 0m
3 PM
7h 4m
5 PM
7h 16m
8 PM
6h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Port Ludlow, WA, WA

Port Ludlow, WA

William Jacobs

Trip Overview

This 355.4-mile drive from Port Ludlow, WA to Spokane, WA is a substantial undertaking, best suited for a single, long day of travel. Expect to spend approximately 6 hours and 54 minutes on the road, covering a significant portion of Washington state. Primarily utilizing I-90, State Route 18, and State Highway 16, this journey is overwhelmingly highway-focused. With an estimated fuel cost of $74, it's a budget-friendly option for a cross-state excursion. This route offers a straightforward path across the Pacific Coast region, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover distance efficiently.

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

177.7 miles from Port Ludlow, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 253.5 mi 4h 34m
State Route 18 27.3 mi 34m
State Highway 16 26.5 mi 33m
State Highway 3 Northeast 23.2 mi 31m
I 5 8.5 mi 10m
State Route 104 5.1 mi 6m
Oak Bay Road 2.2 mi 4m
State Highway 3 West 2.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 253.5 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Ludlow, WA and Spokane, WA.

1

Start on Marina View Drive

286 ft · 17 sec · Marina View Drive
2

Turn left onto Oak Bay Road

2.2 mi · 4 min · Oak Bay Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto WA 19

1.6 mi · 2 min · Beaver Valley Road
4

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

211 ft · 2 sec · State Route 104
5

Continue on WA 104

4.9 mi · 6 min · State Route 104
6

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

117 ft · 1 sec · State Route 104
7

Continue on WA 104

0.1 mi · 16 sec · State Route 104
8

Continue on WA 104

1.6 mi · 2 min · Hood Canal Floating Bridge
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto WA 3

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on WA 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West
12

Continue on WA 16

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West State Route 16
13

Continue on WA 16

27 mi · 33 min · State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left lane.
16

Merge onto I 5

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 5
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

8.2 mi · 10 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto WA 18

27 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on WA 18

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
21

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
22

Merge onto I 90

252 mi · 4 hr 32 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 2; US 395
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
25

Continue on West 5th Avenue

382 ft · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue
26

Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Freeway Avenue
27

Continue on West 4th Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West 4th Avenue
28

Continue on West 4th Avenue

167 ft · 4 sec · West 4th Avenue
29

Continue on South Lincoln Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30

Turn left onto West Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Main Avenue
31

Turn right

26 ft · 8 sec
32

Turn left onto South Gorge Trail

157 ft · 17 sec · South Gorge Trail
33

Arrive at destination

South Gorge Trail

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 54-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Port Ludlow to maximize daylight hours. While this route can be completed in one day, plan for at least one fuel and rest stop, especially given the longest stretch on I-90 is over 250 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $74, so ensure your tank is full before heading out. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but staying alert on the extended highway sections is key.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.7 miles from Port Ludlow, WA, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 78 miles or 1h 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 177.7 miles or 3h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 46m

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 Port Ludlow, 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 Port Ludlow, WA

This is one driving day of about 355.4 miles and 6h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Port Ludlow, 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 253.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Redmond, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Redmond, WA

178 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

Auburn, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cashmere, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 177.7 miles from Port Ludlow, 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 253.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 72.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | WA 19 / Beaver Valley Road

At end of road, turn left onto WA 19 / Beaver Valley Road

Navigation decision point

6
62.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
63.5 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 5 North: Seattle
6
63.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
8
72.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.38 one way

$148.76 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $78.01 $156.01
premium $5.77 $80.71 $161.41
diesel $5.61 $78.47 $156.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 106.6 1 $37.32 $17.06
Efficient EV 88.9 1 $31.10 $14.22
EV Truck/SUV 142.2 1 $49.76 $22.75

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

42 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

Port Ludlow, WA

Morning in Port Ludlow on Saturday

Local time

11:48 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spokane, WA

Morning in Spokane on Saturday

Local time

11:48 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

14 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

6h 54m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 24.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. The bulk of your time will be spent on I-90, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 253.5 miles. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed interstates, the initial segments on State Route 18 and State Highway 16 offer a slightly different, though still highway-oriented, experience. The character of the road remains consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 2.2 miles in near WA 19 / Beaver Valley Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 355.4 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 2.2 miles (WA 19 / Beaver Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Port Ludlow, WA to Spokane, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.

Muckleshoot Reservation

72.1 mi in | ~1h 38m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 54m. Total distance: 355.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Spokane, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (WA 19 / Beaver Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane, WA before the return drive.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Port Ludlow, WA or browse trips ending in Spokane, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.