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Trip from Spokane Valley, WA to Chico, WA

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

335.5 mi

540 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 15m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Chico, WA, WA

Chico, WA

Boko Shots

Trip Overview

Embark on a 335.5-mile journey from Spokane Valley, WA, to Chico, WA, that will take approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-90, WA 16, and State Route 18, making it a feasible one-day trip. Budget around $70 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop along the way. Given its manageable length and highway nature, this drive offers a straightforward passage across Washington State.

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

167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA

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

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates and state routes. With 99% of the route on these types of roads, expect a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 252 miles on I-90, so settle in for some extended highway cruising. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of WA 16 and State Route 18 may introduce slightly different road characteristics as you progress.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 252 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WA 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Montgomery Avenue.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 335.5 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 0.2 miles (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Montgomery Avenue

Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
263.8 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
264 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left / right lanes. Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
291.7 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
301.1 mi into trip | ~5h 37m in

Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton

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 132B Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Spokane Valley, WA and Chico, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

264 mi in | ~4h 48m

Tacoma

264 mi in | ~4h 48m

Bremerton

301.1 mi in | ~5h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 252 mi 4h 32m
WA 16 28.3 mi 36m
State Route 18 26.7 mi 34m
Spokane Valley Freeway 11.3 mi 14m
I 5 8.5 mi 10m
State Highway 3 Northwest 4.2 mi 5m
Chico Way Northwest 0.5 mi <1m
Snoqualmie Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 252 mi, about 4h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Spokane Valley, WA and Chico, WA.

1

Start on WA 27

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Pines Road
Use the left lane.
2

Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue

155 ft · 6 sec · East Montgomery Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
4

Merge onto I 90

11 mi · 14 min · Spokane Valley Freeway
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395

57 mi · 1 hr · I 90; US 395
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

195 mi · 3 hr 31 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
10

Continue on WA 18

27 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
14

Merge onto I 5

7.2 mi · 9 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 5
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 132B Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto WA 16

28 mi · 36 min · WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on WA 3

4.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward Chico Way, Chico Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn right onto Chico Way Northwest

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Chico Way Northwest
22

Arrive at destination

Chico Way Northwest

Trip Plan

This 6-hour and 22-minute drive is well-suited for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave early to maximize daylight hours and arrive with ample time to spare. The longest stretch is over 250 miles on I-90, so plan your fuel and rest stops strategically before hitting that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $70, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the long I-90 portion where services might be more spaced out.

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 167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 167.8 miles or 3h 3m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chico, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Spokane Valley, 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 Spokane Valley, WA

This is one driving day of about 335.5 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spokane Valley, 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 252 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 167.8 mi from Spokane Valley, WA · 3h 3m into the drive

city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, WA

168 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

Moses Lake, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, 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 252 miles.

Arriving in Chico, WA

The final approach into Chico, 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 Chico, 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.

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 323.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$70.22 one way

$140.43 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $73.64 $147.28
premium $5.77 $76.19 $152.38
diesel $5.61 $74.07 $148.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.6 1 $35.23 $16.10
Efficient EV 83.9 0 $29.36 $13.42
EV Truck/SUV 134.2 1 $46.97 $21.47

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Spokane Valley, WA

Late night in Spokane Valley on Wednesday

Local time

3:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chico, WA

Late night in Chico on Wednesday

Local time

3:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

59°F

Monroe, WA

168 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

10 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

6h 22m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Spokane Valley, WA to Chico, WA covers 335.5 miles and takes about 6h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, WA 16, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $70.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 335.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Spokane Valley, WA and Chico, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.

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