Ephrata to Spokane is 123.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 24 minutes via WA 17, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive takes you across the Pacific Coast region, staying within Washington state for the entire journey. It's a straightforward trip that's ideal for a single-day drive, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning. You'll find this route to be efficient, making it a good choice if you're looking to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.9 miles from Ephrata, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 17
110.3 mi
2h 3m
WA 282
3.9 mi
5m
State Route 17
3.8 mi
4m
I 90
1.8 mi
2m
Nat Washington Way
1.4 mi
2m
Coulee Corridor
1.2 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
WA 17
— 110.3 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on 3rd Avenue Southwest
364 ft·7 sec·3rd Avenue Southwest
2
Continue on Nat Washington Way
1.4 mi·2 min·Nat Washington Way
3
Turn left onto WA 282
3.8 mi·5 min·WA 282
4
Turn slight right onto WA 282
0.1 mi·24 sec·WA 282
5
Turn straight onto WA 17
12 mi·17 min·WA 17
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 17
95 ft·1 sec·State Route 17
7
Continue on WA 17
3.7 mi·4 min·State Route 17
8
Turn left onto WA 17; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist
1.2 mi·1 min·Coulee Corridor
9
Take the exit onto WA 17; I 90 Bus
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·WA 17; I 90 Bus
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
12
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
13
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
14
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
15
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
16
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
18
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
19
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
20
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 24-minute duration and 123.7-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for plenty of daylight and any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before leaving Ephrata, as the longest stretch without needing to divert is over 110 miles on WA 17. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise due to the long highway segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.9 miles from Ephrata, WA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.3 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.9 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA
This is one driving day of about 123.7 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Ephrata, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on WA 17 for about 110.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.3 and 123.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
17.3 mi into trip|~26m in|WA 17 / State Route 17
Enter roundabout onto WA 17 / State Route 17
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
22.3 mi into trip|~31m in|WA 17; I 90 Bus
Take the exit onto WA 17; I 90 Bus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m 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...
5
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|South Gorge Trail
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.89 one way
$51.78 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$27.15
$54.30
premium
$5.77
$28.09
$56.18
diesel
$5.61
$27.31
$54.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Lep Re Kon Harvest Foods - Tesla Supercharger
Moses Lake, WA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Conoco - Tesla Supercharger
Ritzville, WA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Big B Truck Stop - Tesla Supercharger
Sprague, WA
Tesla
8 DCFC
TA Petro - Tesla Supercharger
Spokane, WA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kroger-Fred Meyer 657 (Spokane, WA)
Spokane, WA
Electrify America
6 DCFC
Bud Clary Ford of Moses Lake
Moses Lake, WA
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Best Western Plus Bronco Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Ritzville, WA
Tesla
4 DCFC
Punjabi Dhaba Indian Food Market Place (Ritzville, WA)
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.95
EV Truck/SUV
49.5
0
$17.32
$7.92
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Ephrata, WA
Night
in Ephrata on Saturday
Local time
9:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Night
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
9:39 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
4 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
2h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 97% of the journey on established roads. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including one uninterrupted segment of 110.3 miles primarily on WA 17. The character of the drive is consistent, meaning you can settle in for a steady pace for most of the trip. Expect a smooth, focused experience that prioritizes efficient travel over varied terrain or winding backroads.
97% 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: 110.3 mi on WA 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 17 and WA 282. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 17.3 miles in near WA 17 / State Route 17.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ephrata, WA to Spokane, WA is easy. At 2h 24m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.3 miles (WA 17 / State Route 17): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.3 miles (WA 17; I 90 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 123.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 110.3 miles on WA 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.3 miles (WA 17 / State Route 17): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.3 miles (WA 17; I 90 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Spokane, WA before heading back.
