Buckley, WA to Spokane Valley, WA is 293.8 miles and takes about 5h 38m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily uses the interstate, making it a straightforward journey across Washington State. You'll be on the road for over five hours, so plan accordingly. The route offers a direct path from the Pacific Coast region to its eastern counterpart, focusing on efficient travel. Given the 293.8-mile distance and estimated 5h 38m driving time, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
146.9 miles from Buckley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
263.1 mi
4h 46m
State Route 18
11.6 mi
15m
Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
5.1 mi
9m
Enumclaw-Black Diamond Road
3.7 mi
5m
State Route 410 East
2.7 mi
5m
264th Avenue Southeast
2.5 mi
4m
3rd Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Porter Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 263.1 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,426 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,032
Quietest
2 AM
~104 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Buckley, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on this road
88 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Cottage Street
432 ft·19 sec·North Cottage Street
3
Turn right onto North River Avenue
455 ft·26 sec·North River Avenue
4
Turn left onto Park Avenue
235 ft·6 sec·Park Avenue
5
Turn slight right
132 ft·7 sec
6
Turn straight onto WA 410
2.7 mi·5 min·State Route 410 East
7
Turn left onto Cole Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Cole Street
8
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Washington Avenue
9
Turn right onto WA 169
0.9 mi·2 min·Porter Street
10
Continue on WA 169
2.5 mi·4 min·264th Avenue Southeast
11
Continue on WA 169
3.7 mi·5 min·Enumclaw-Black Diamond Road
12
Continue on 3rd Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto WA 169
60 ft·1 sec·3rd Avenue
14
Continue on WA 169
0.2 mi·29 sec·3rd Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 169
226 ft·11 sec·3rd Avenue
16
Continue on WA 169
0.7 mi·1 min·3rd Avenue
17
Continue on WA 169
2.0 mi·3 min·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
18
Enter roundabout onto WA 169
126 ft·3 sec·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
19
Continue on WA 169
0.8 mi·1 min·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
20
Enter roundabout onto WA 169
106 ft·2 sec·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
21
Continue on WA 169
0.4 mi·41 sec·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
22
Enter roundabout onto WA 169
112 ft·2 sec·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
23
Continue on WA 169
1.8 mi·3 min·Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto Southeast 231st Street
130 ft·2 sec·Southeast 231st Street
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward WA 18 East: North Bend
26
Merge onto WA 18
12 mi·15 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
29
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
32
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 5h 38m, this trip is easily manageable in one day, so leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight. The longest stretch is a significant 263.1 miles on I 90, so ensure you have at least half a tank of fuel before embarking on this segment. While there's only one suggested stop, consider breaking up the drive into two roughly equal halves to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can become more spread out on the interstate, especially outside of major towns.
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 146.9 miles from Buckley, WA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.1 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 65 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.9 miles or 2h 56m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buckley, 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 Buckley, WA
This is one driving day of about 293.8 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Buckley, 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 263.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 15.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Cottage Street
Turn right onto North Cottage Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Park Avenue
Turn left onto Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
12 mi into trip|~22m in|WA 169 / 3rd Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WA 169 / 3rd Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
14.7 mi into trip|~27m in|WA 169 / Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Enter roundabout onto WA 169 / Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
15.6 mi into trip|~29m in|WA 169 / Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Enter roundabout onto WA 169 / Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.23 one way
$114.47 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$59.96
$119.93
premium
$5.39
$62.36
$124.71
diesel
$4.80
$55.47
$110.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.1
1
$30.85
$14.10
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.71
$11.75
EV Truck/SUV
117.5
1
$41.13
$18.80
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Buckley, WA
Evening
in Buckley on Monday
Local time
7:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
WNW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Evening
in Spokane Valley on Monday
Local time
7:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM 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
14 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 38m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 20.3
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning fi...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major highways like I 90. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including a 263.1-mile segment primarily on I 90. While the main roads are designed for speed and efficiency, the initial portions will involve State Route 18 and Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast, offering a brief change of pace before merging onto the interstate. The character of the drive is predominantly high-speed highway travel, allowing for consistent progress across the state.
94% 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: 263.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Cottage Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 38m drive. You will face about 21 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Cottage Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (WA 169 / 3rd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington State, and the largest between Seattle and Minneapolis. It is the economic hub of the "Inland Empire", a name used for Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle (pre-dating by nearly a century the use of the same title by a region in Southern California). It is at the north edge of the Palouse, where gently rolling hills of wheat fields end at the Spokane River valley.
This article also includes the suburbs of Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.
The longest stretch is about 263.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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.
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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Cottage Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (WA 169 / 3rd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and Mount Rainier National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane Valley, WA before the return drive.
