Des Moines, WA to Spokane, WA is 288.2 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I-5, I-405, and I-90, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive cuts across Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's well-suited for a single day of travel. Expect mostly interstate driving, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
144.1 miles from Des Moines, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
269.5 mi
4h 53m
I 405
10.3 mi
12m
I 5
2.9 mi
3m
South 216th Street
1.6 mi
3m
Military Road South
0.7 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
Marine View Drive South
0.4 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.5 mi, about 4h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on this road
43 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South 223rd Street
70 ft·6 sec·South 223rd Street
3
Turn right onto WA 509
0.4 mi·1 min·Marine View Drive South
4
Turn right onto 7th Place South
366 ft·7 sec·7th Place South
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on South 216th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·South 216th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto Military Road South
0.7 mi·1 min·Military Road South
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 5
2.9 mi·3 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
10 mi·12 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward I 90: Seattle, SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 90
268 mi·4 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the 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
Given the 5h 22m estimated drive time and 288.2 miles, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a comfortable pace and potential daylight for the entire journey. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $60, planning around a single refueling and a brief break should suffice. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially around the Seattle metropolitan area where I-5 and I-405 converge, as this can add unexpected delays to your 288.2-mile trip.
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 144.1 miles from Des Moines, WA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.5 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 23m
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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, WA
This is one driving day of about 288.2 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Des Moines, 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 269.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 17 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
6 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
16.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
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: Seattle, Spokane
7
17 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.32 one way
$120.64 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$63.26
$126.51
premium
$5.77
$65.45
$130.89
diesel
$5.61
$63.63
$127.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.26
$13.83
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
EV Truck/SUV
115.3
1
$40.35
$18.44
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Des Moines, WA
Late night
in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
1:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Late night
in Spokane on Tuesday
Local time
1:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 22m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 19.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive with 98% of the route on major interstates like I-5, I-405, and I-90. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 269.5 miles on I-90, indicating extended periods of consistent speed and smooth driving. The character of the road is predominantly that of a well-maintained interstate, designed for efficient travel across longer distances. While the scenery will change as you move east, the driving experience itself remains largely consistent on these primary routes.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 2.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 288.2 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 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 288.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Spokane, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane, WA before the return drive.
