DuPont, WA to Spokane, WA is 306.5 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Washington State, transitioning from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast region, focusing on a primarily highway-driven experience. With 99% of the journey on highways, expect a straightforward drive that's best suited for a single day. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Puget Sound area to Eastern Washington efficiently, with a predictable travel time and cost.
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
153.2 miles from DuPont, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
253.5 mi
4h 34m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
22.6 mi
28m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
Barksdale Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West Main Avenue
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 DuPont, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on Hercules Street
47 ft·7 sec·Hercules Street
2
Turn left onto Barksdale Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Barksdale Avenue
3
Continue on Locust Road
499 ft·13 sec·Locust Road
4
Turn left onto I 5
14 mi·18 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
10
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
13
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
14
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
15
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
16
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
17
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
19
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
20
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
21
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 46-minute drive time, starting your trip from DuPont in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. While the drive is manageable in one day, you'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest stretch on I 90 is over 250 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Spokane, as services can become less frequent in certain stretches. The estimated fuel cost of $64 makes budgeting straightforward for this direct route.
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 153.2 miles from DuPont, WA, or about 2h 57m 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.2 miles or 2h 57m 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 43m
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 DuPont, 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 DuPont, WA
This is one driving day of about 306.5 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from DuPont, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 305.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~19m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
23.1 mi into trip|~29m 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...
5
23.6 mi into trip|~30m in|WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
51.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
305.1 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Str...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.15 one way
$128.30 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$67.27
$134.55
premium
$5.77
$69.60
$139.20
diesel
$5.61
$67.67
$135.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.91
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 15, 2026
Origin
DuPont, WA
Afternoon
in DuPont on Sunday
Local time
12:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Afternoon
in Spokane on Sunday
Local time
12:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
14 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 46m 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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 42.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 99% of the route utilizing major interstates and state routes. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 90, which forms the backbone of this 306.5-mile journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 253.5 miles on I 90, indicating long periods of consistent highway travel. Expect a fairly direct and efficient drive, characterized by smooth pavement and consistent speeds as you traverse the state.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 14.9 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 306.5 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 14.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from DuPont, WA to Spokane, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
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 46m. Total distance: 306.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.
