Sprague Lake Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bellingham, WA to Cheney, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 39m
Distance
349.5 mi
563 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 27m
★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 48m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 49m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Cheney, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bellingham to Cheney is 349.5 miles and takes about 6h 39m via I-5, I-405, and I-90, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Washington State, transitioning from the coastal region to the interior. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to traverse the state with minimal navigational complexity. It's a solid option for a single-day drive, especially if you get an early start.
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
174.8 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 247 mi | 4h 28m |
| I 5 | 69.6 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 405 | 18 mi | 22m |
| Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway | 9 mi | 12m |
| West 1st Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Magnolia Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 247 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,832 veh/hr typical · worst 2,477
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Cheney, WA.
1
Start on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
2
Continue on Prospect Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Prospect Street
3
Turn left onto West Champion Street
352 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Champion Street
4
Continue on West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Magnolia Street
5
Turn right onto Ellis Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ellis Street
6
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Lakeway Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
70 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi
·
21 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 90
247 mi
·
4 hr 28 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward SR 904 East, Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler, Cheney
16
Turn right onto WA 904; US 10 Hist
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway
17
Continue on WA 904; US 10 Hist
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West 1st Street
18
Turn left onto College Avenue
141 ft
·
9 sec
·
College Avenue
19
Turn left
149 ft
·
10 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 39m estimated drive time, departing Bellingham early in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Cheney before evening. The route is mostly highway, so plan for efficient travel, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 247-mile segment on I-90 where services might be more spread out. There's only one designated stop on this route data, so you'll likely want to factor in at least one additional break for rest or a meal. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your pacing.
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 174.8 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247 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 77 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 23m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheney, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, WA
This is one driving day of about 349.5 miles and 6h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Bellingham, 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 247 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.8 miles from Bellingham, 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 247 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Indian John Hill Rest Area, I-90 Eastbound
0 mi from route
Silver Lake Rest Area (closed)
0.1 mi from route
Smokey Point Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Smokey Point Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Bow Hill Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Bow Hill Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sprague Lake Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Schrag Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Schrag Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Winchester Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Ryegrass Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Indian John Hill Rest Area, I-90 Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Travelers Rest Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Winchester Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colville Fuels Half Sun Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Ryegrass Westbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 90.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
90.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
90.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.44 one way
$154.88 round trip
$5.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.91 | $81.25 | $162.50 |
| premium | $6.08 | $83.66 | $167.32 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $73.62 | $147.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.70 | $16.78 |
| Efficient EV | 87.4 | 0 | $30.58 | $13.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.8 | 1 | $48.93 | $22.37 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Origin
Bellingham, WA
Afternoon in Bellingham on Wednesday
Local time
2:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
SSE 0 to 8 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 12:07PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Cheney, WA
Afternoon in Cheney on Wednesday
Local time
2:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 12:07PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
13 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 39m 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
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 84.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of this 349.5-mile trip on highways, expect extensive interstate cruising. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 247 miles on I-90. You'll experience significant urban merging and exiting around the Seattle metropolitan area due to the inclusion of I-5 and I-405, before transitioning to longer, more open highway segments on I-90. Surface roads will only become a factor in the final miles.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 349.5 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 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,475 ft
33 ft
Total Climb
3,585 ft
Total Descent
1,302 ft
Highest Point
2,475 ft
~149.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,442 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bellingham, WA and Cheney, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Seattle.
Renton
71.5 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Seattle
90.4 mi in
|
~1h 50m
About the Cities
Starting in Bellingham, WA
Full guide →Founded 1852
Bellingham, the "City of Subdued Excitement", is a city of 92,000 people in the northwest region of Washington State. It is the northernmost city in the contiguous 48 states. Situated on Bellingham Bay, you can venture from downtown and in minutes be in rural farmland, the North Cascades or out on the salt waters around the San Juan Islands.
Top landmarks
- • Fairhaven — neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington, USA
- • SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention — museum in Bellingham, Washington
- • Mount Baker Theatre — theater in Bellingham, Washington
Arriving in Cheney, WA
Full guide →Founded 1883
Cheney is a college town in the Palouse region of Washington, home of Eastern Washington University.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 39m. Total distance: 349.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 247 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cheney, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (I 405): 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cheney, WA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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