This 307.8-mile journey from Fobes Hill to Spokane Valley is a straightforward drive across Washington state, taking approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of around $64. You'll experience a highway-focused profile for nearly the entire trip, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. Plan for one significant stop along the way to break up the drive. This is a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive detours.
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
153.9 miles from Fobes Hill, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
279 mi
5h 5m
I 405
11.6 mi
14m
State Route 9
10.9 mi
17m
State Route 522
2.3 mi
2m
Bickford Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Fobes Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Fobes Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Old Highway 2
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 279 mi, about 5h 5m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 197 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,111 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,743
Quietest
2 AM
~121 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
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 Fobes Hill, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on this road
49 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Fobes Road
0.3 mi·38 sec·Fobes Road
3
Continue on Fobes Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Fobes Avenue
4
Turn right onto Bickford Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Bickford Avenue
5
Turn left onto Old Highway 2
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Highway 2
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
26 ft·0 sec·State Route 9
7
Continue on WA 9
5.2 mi·7 min·State Route 9
8
Continue on WA 9
5.6 mi·9 min·State Route 9
Use the left / uturn lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward WA 522 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto WA 522
2.3 mi·2 min·State Route 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward I 405 South: BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn slight left onto I 405
12 mi·14 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 90
268 mi·4 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
18
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 48-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Fobes Hill to avoid potential traffic, especially on I-405. With a fuel cost of approximately $64, plan your refueling stops accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch is 279 miles on I-90. While the drive is manageable in one day, a single planned stop is recommended to stretch your legs and stay alert. Pay attention to variable speed limits as you transition between different highway sections to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
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 153.9 miles from Fobes Hill, WA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 279 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 68 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.9 miles or 2h 58m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fobes Hill, 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 Fobes Hill, WA
This is one driving day of about 307.8 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Fobes Hill, 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 279 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 27.8 — 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|Fobes Road
Turn left onto Fobes Road
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|WA 9 / State Route 9
Enter roundabout onto WA 9 / State Route 9
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
14.9 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue
8
27.4 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
27.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.96 one way
$119.92 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$62.82
$125.64
premium
$5.39
$65.33
$130.66
diesel
$4.80
$58.12
$116.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.3
1
$32.32
$14.77
Efficient EV
77
0
$26.93
$12.31
EV Truck/SUV
123.1
1
$43.09
$19.70
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 19, 2026
Origin
Fobes Hill, WA
Late night
in Fobes Hill on Monday
Local time
4:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NW 1 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Late night
in Spokane Valley on Monday
Local time
4:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Haze
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
13 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 48m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 21.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route on major interstates and state routes. The majority of your time will be spent on I-90, which forms the backbone of this trip. You'll encounter one long stretch of 279 miles on I-90, offering a consistent driving experience. While the profile is largely highway, the transition from I-405 to State Route 9 and finally to I-90 will provide subtle shifts in the immediate surroundings. This is a route designed for covering ground efficiently.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 279 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Fobes Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 307.8 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: near the start (Fobes Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (WA 9 / State Route 9): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,418 ft203 ft
Total Climb
3,657 ft
Total Descent
1,846 ft
Highest Point
2,418 ft
~285.8 mi in
Elevation Range
2,214 ft
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 Fobes Hill, WA to Spokane Valley, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle 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 48m. Total distance: 307.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m 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 279 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Valley, 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Fobes Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (WA 9 / State Route 9): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane Valley, WA before the return drive.
