Origin
Spokane, WA
Late night in Spokane on Friday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spokane, WA to Three Lakes, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
302.3 mi
486 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Three Lakes, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
Spokane to Three Lakes is 302.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 90, I 405, and State Route 9, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, taking you from the Pacific Coast region back to the Pacific Coast region. Expect a drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making for a straightforward journey. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without many 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
151.1 miles from Spokane, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 302.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 97% of the route utilizing major interstates and state routes. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 269.6 miles primarily on I 90. This means you can settle in and cover a lot of ground quickly. The character is that of a modern, well-maintained highway system, designed for efficient travel between cities within the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 269.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West Freeway Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 302.3 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 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Freeway Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue toward I 90 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
270.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
270.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
282.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
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 23
Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
7
286.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spokane, WA and Three Lakes, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.
Everett
270.5 mi in
|
~4h 56m
Bellevue
270.8 mi in
|
~4h 56m
Woodinville
282.4 mi in
|
~5h 11m
Arlington
286.1 mi in
|
~5h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 269.6 mi | 4h 53m |
| I 405 | 11.2 mi | 13m |
| State Route 9 | 9.5 mi | 15m |
| Three Lakes Road | 3 mi | 7m |
| WA 522 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Maple Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 163rd Avenue Southeast | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spokane, WA and Three Lakes, WA.
1
Start on South Gorge Trail
157 ft
·
21 sec
·
South Gorge Trail
2
Turn right
26 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
464 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Main Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Monroe Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Monroe Street
5
Turn slight right onto West Freeway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue
188 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90; US 2; US 395
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 90; US 395
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
211 mi
·
3 hr 50 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 23
Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
17
Merge onto WA 522
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto WA 9
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
State Route 9
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on WA 9
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
State Route 9
21
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Snohomish
22
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Street
23
Turn left onto Maple Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Maple Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on Machias Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Machias Road
25
Turn right onto Three Lakes Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Three Lakes Road
26
Turn left onto 163rd Avenue Southeast
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
163rd Avenue Southeast
27
Arrive at destination
163rd Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 48m estimated duration, it's definitely a one-day trip. You could leave Spokane in the morning and arrive in Three Lakes by early afternoon. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 269 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break before you get too low on gas or feel fatigued. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 200-mile mark on I 90, as services can sometimes be spaced out.
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 151.1 miles from Spokane, WA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Lakes, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spokane, 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, WA
This is one driving day of about 302.3 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Spokane, 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 269.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.1 mi from Spokane, WA · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.1 miles from Spokane, 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 269.6 miles.
Arriving in Three Lakes, WA
The final approach into Three Lakes, 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 Three Lakes, 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
$63.27 one way
$126.54 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $66.35 | $132.70 |
| premium | $5.77 | $68.65 | $137.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.74 | $133.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.7 | 1 | $31.74 | $14.51 |
| Efficient EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.45 | $12.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.9 | 1 | $42.32 | $19.35 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
Three Lakes, WA
Late night in Three Lakes on Friday
Local time
3:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
151 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
2 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 48m 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 Spokane, WA to Three Lakes, WA covers 302.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 405, State Route 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.1 miles from Spokane, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.27 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 302.3 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 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Spokane, WA and Three Lakes, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Three Lakes, WA
Explore more options from Spokane, WA or browse trips ending in Three Lakes, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.