Origin
Tacoma, WA
Night in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Spokane, WA
Drive Time
5h 30m
Distance
293.1 mi
472 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 17m
★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Connecting Tacoma to Spokane, this 293.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington state. You will spend approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable day trip for most drivers. By utilizing a combination of I-5, State Route 18, and I-90, you can navigate the state efficiently without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting around $62 for fuel covers the essentials for this highway-focused transit. While both cities sit within the Pacific Coast region, the drive takes you from the Puget Sound area deep into the eastern side of the state, offering a significant change in landscape.
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
146.6 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time—253.5 miles—on the I-90 corridor, which provides a consistent and predictable pace. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, it functions as a utilitarian transit rather than a winding backroads excursion. The character of the road remains steady, allowing you to settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the interstate. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, the focus here is on steady progress rather than technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 253.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.1 miles in near Market Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 293.1 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 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 13th Street
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~14m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 253.5 mi | 4h 34m |
| State Route 18 | 27.3 mi | 34m |
| I 5 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| I 705 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Lincoln Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Freeway Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 13th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on South 11th Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 11th Street
2
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 13th Street
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
213 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 705 SB Ramp
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Port of Tacoma
6
Merge onto I 705
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 705
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
252 mi
·
4 hr 32 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90; US 2; US 395
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
17
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
18
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
19
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
20
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
21
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Main Avenue
23
Turn right
26 ft
·
8 sec
24
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Gorge Trail
25
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5.5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic near the Tacoma and Seattle corridors. With only one recommended stop, pacing is simple; plan to pull over once you have cleared the initial mountain passes to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep in mind that the long 253.5-mile stretch on I-90 means you should check your fuel levels before leaving the more populated areas. Flexibility is a major advantage on this route, as the predictable nature of the interstate allows you to adjust your schedule easily. Always keep an eye on weather reports, as the high-elevation sections of I-90 can experience rapid shifts in conditions throughout the year.
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 146.6 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 2h 48m 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 30m
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 Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 293.1 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tacoma, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.6 mi from Tacoma, WA · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.6 miles from Tacoma, 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 253.5 miles.
Arriving in Spokane, WA
The final approach into Spokane, 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, 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
$61.52 one way
$123.03 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $64.24 | $128.48 |
| premium | $5.77 | $66.59 | $133.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.12 | $130.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.9 | 1 | $30.78 | $14.07 |
| Efficient EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.2 | 1 | $41.03 | $18.76 |
Gas CO2
103 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Spokane, WA
Night in Spokane on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
147 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
6 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
5h 30m 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 Tacoma, WA to Spokane, WA covers 293.1 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, I 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.6 miles from Tacoma, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.52 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 17 significant decision points across 293.1 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 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tacoma, WA to Spokane, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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