Embark on a 296.1-mile journey from Edmonds, WA, to Spokane, WA, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes. This route is best tackled in a single day, making it a feasible option for a day trip. You'll be navigating primarily on I-5 and I-90, with a significant portion on the Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, covering a substantial 274.2 miles uninterrupted. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, this trip offers a straightforward path across Washington state. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory for this drive.
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
148.1 miles from Edmonds, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
274.2 mi
4h 59m
I 5
12.6 mi
16m
I 90
2.8 mi
3m
Edmonds Way
2.6 mi
5m
5th Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
0.4 mi
<1m
North 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
— 274.2 mi, about 4h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edmonds, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on 5th Avenue North
26 ft·2 sec·5th Avenue North
2
Turn right onto Main Street
34 ft·28 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on Main Street
45 ft·1 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto 5th Avenue South
0.9 mi·2 min·5th Avenue South
5
Turn straight onto WA 104
2.6 mi·5 min·Edmonds Way
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto WA 104
0.4 mi·49 sec·North 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
7
Continue on WA 104
0.4 mi·46 sec·Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
9
Merge onto I 5
12 mi·14 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 5
0.8 mi·1 min·I 5
Exit 164Toward Bellevue, SpokaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
147 ft·2 sec·I 5
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
13
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi·1 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
274 mi·4 hr 59 min·Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
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 5-hour 35-minute duration, starting your trip from Edmonds, WA, early in the morning is advisable to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The estimated fuel cost is $62, so ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before departing. Pay attention to road conditions, especially on the Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 274.2 miles. This route is manageable in one day, so you can afford to be flexible with your timing and stop locations.
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 148.1 miles from Edmonds, WA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 274.2 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 50m 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 34m
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 Edmonds, 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 Edmonds, WA
This is one driving day of about 296.1 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Edmonds, 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 Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel for about 274.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 18.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~11m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.6 mi into trip|~26m in|I 5
Take the exit onto I 5 toward Bellevue, Spokane
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 164
Toward Bellevue, Spokane
6
17.4 mi into trip|~27m in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
6
17.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
6
18.8 mi into trip|~29m in|I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.97 one way
$123.94 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$64.99
$129.98
premium
$5.77
$67.24
$134.48
diesel
$5.61
$65.38
$130.75
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: 103.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
Efficient EV
74
0
$25.91
$11.84
EV Truck/SUV
118.4
1
$41.45
$18.95
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Edmonds, WA
Night
in Edmonds on Saturday
Local time
10:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Night
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
10:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
148 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
5 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 35m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, despite a substantial 5% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 274.2 miles on the Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, indicating a significant portion of focused driving. While much of the route involves interstate travel on I-5 and I-90, the overall character suggests more frequent changes in direction or road type than a pure interstate journey. Expect a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged as you transition between different road segments.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 274.2 mi on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 296.1 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 4.8 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Edmonds, WA and Spokane, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue and Portland.
Bellevue
16.6 mi in|~26m|via I 5
Portland
17.4 mi in|~27m|via I 5
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 296.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 274.2 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. 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 4.8 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (I 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
