Connecting the Puget Sound area to Eastern Washington, this 284.3-mile trip takes you from Federal Way to Spokane in approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-90, with initial transitions through South Peasley Canyon Road and State Route 18. Because the total drive time is manageable, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $60 for fuel to complete the trek. This route is an efficient way to cross the state, moving you from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that prioritizes speed and direct access over winding backroads.
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
142.1 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
253.5 mi
4h 34m
State Route 18
24.4 mi
31m
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 320th Street
1.4 mi
3m
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 34m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~978 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,681
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
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 Federal Way, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
3
Turn left onto WA 99
0.5 mi·1 min·Pacific Highway South
4
Turn left onto South 320th Street
1.4 mi·3 min·South 320th Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
6
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
95 ft·1 sec·South Peasley Canyon Road
7
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
0.7 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
8
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
334 ft·10 sec·West Valley Highway North
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North BendUse the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward WA 18 East
11
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi·31 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 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
Since this is a 5-hour and 20-minute drive, plan your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic leaving Federal Way. You should aim for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 284.3-mile distance and keep your energy levels consistent. Because the route relies so heavily on I-90, keep a close eye on traffic reports for that corridor, as it is the primary artery for the entire trip. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use your one recommended stop to refuel and stretch your legs halfway through the longest 253.5-mile segment. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the direct nature of the roads allows you to easily adjust your arrival time based on your morning start.
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 142.1 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 2h 43m 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 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 22m
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 Federal Way, 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 Federal Way, WA
This is one driving day of about 284.3 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Federal Way, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 4.3 — 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|South 312th Street
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in|West Valley Highway North
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
3.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North Bend
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North...
6
4 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WA 18 East
5
4.3 mi into trip|~9m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.38 one way
$110.77 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$58.02
$116.05
premium
$5.39
$60.34
$120.68
diesel
$4.80
$53.68
$107.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.65
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.80
$18.20
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Federal Way, WA
Late night
in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
2:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph1% 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, WA
Late night
in Spokane on Sunday
Local time
2:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 6 mph1% 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
6 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 20m 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?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 98% of this trip is comprised of highway travel. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel—specifically 253.5 miles—will be spent on the uninterrupted stretch of I-90. While the start of your journey involves navigating local roads like South Peasley Canyon Road, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a consistent interstate pace. You will find that the road maintains a predictable, steady rhythm throughout the duration of the trip. It is a functional, high-speed transit route that minimizes technical driving in favor of a smooth, highway-focused flow.
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: 253.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 312th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (West Valley Highway North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,538 ft465 ft
Total Climb
3,537 ft
Total Descent
2,166 ft
Highest Point
2,538 ft
~60.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,073 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Federal Way is a city in King County on the Puget Sound of Washington State. It is the home of the Pacific Bonsai Museum and Rhododendron Species Botanical Gardens. With a population of 96,000 (2016), Federal Way is one of Seattle's largest suburbs.
Top landmarks
•Wild Waves Theme Park — amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington, United States
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.
Top landmarks
•Monroe Street Bridge — bridge in Spokane, Washington
•Montvale Hotel — hotel in Spokane, Washington
•Manito Park and Botanical Gardens — park in Spokane, Washington state, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 284.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m 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 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: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (West Valley Highway North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
