Origin
Fircrest, WA
Night in Fircrest on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
304.6 mi
490 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fircrest, WA
Alex Stone
This 304.6-mile journey from Fircrest, WA, to Spokane Valley, WA, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take around 5 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, covering 99% of the route on major highways. With a projected fuel cost of $64, this drive is an efficient way to traverse Washington state. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that allows you to cover significant ground without much fuss. The route takes you from the Pacific Coast region eastward, offering a direct connection across the state.
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
152.3 miles from Fircrest, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 263.1 mi | 4h 46m |
| State Route 18 | 27.3 mi | 34m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| WA 16 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Columbia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Alameda Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Orchard Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 19th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fircrest, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
Start on Alameda Avenue
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
Continue on South 19th Street
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 16
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
Take the exit
Turn left onto WA 27
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour and 43-minute estimated driving time, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. You'll encounter one suggested stop, but the longest stretch on I-90 is over 260 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long segment on I-90, as services can be more spread out in some areas.
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.
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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 2h 56m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, WA
This is one driving day of about 304.6 miles and 5h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 152.3 miles from Fircrest, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 263.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 12.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$63.75 one way
$127.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $66.86 | $133.71 |
| premium | $5.77 | $69.17 | $138.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.25 | $134.50 |
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: 106.6 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 | 91.4 | 1 | $31.98 | $14.62 |
| Efficient EV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.65 | $12.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.8 | 1 | $42.64 | $19.49 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Fircrest on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Spokane Valley on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 304.6-mile trip, with 99% of your travel on major interstates and state routes like I-90 and I-5. The drive is largely characterized by long, uninterrupted stretches, including a notable 263.1-mile segment primarily on I-90. This means you'll be covering distance efficiently, with the road primarily designed for speed and direct travel. While the focus is on highway travel, the transition between these main arteries, such as SR 18 and I-5, provides the main variation in the driving experience.
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 0.7 miles in near South Orchard Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 304.6 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 0.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 304.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Fircrest, WA or browse trips ending in Spokane Valley, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.