Hoquiam to Spokane Valley is 380.8 miles and takes about 7 hours 25 minutes via I-5 and I-90, with a fuel budget near $80 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you from the Pacific Coast region across Washington State, offering a predominantly highway experience. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive, covering a significant distance with a straightforward path. Plan for a full day of driving to comfortably make it from the coast to the Inland Northwest.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.4 miles from Hoquiam, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
263.1 mi
4h 46m
I 5
37 mi
46m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
Simpson Avenue
2.9 mi
7m
East Wishkah Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 263.1 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,071 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~495 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
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 Hoquiam, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on WA 109
2.9 mi·7 min·Simpson Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto US 101
0.4 mi·1 min·North Park Street
3
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
4
Enter roundabout onto South F Street
21 ft·0 sec·South F Street
5
Continue on South F Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·South F Street
6
Turn left onto US 12
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Heron Street
7
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
8
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
9
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
10
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
11
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
13
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
19
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
22
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 25-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Hoquiam to give yourself ample daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 380.8 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch is 263.1 miles on I-90, so ensure you're fueled up before heading into that section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Spokane Valley, and budget around $80 for gas. Given the duration, a single day is certainly feasible, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stop partway.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.4 miles from Hoquiam, WA, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.1 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 84 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.4 miles or 3h 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 6h 17m
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 Hoquiam, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hoquiam, WA
This is one driving day of about 380.8 miles and 7h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Hoquiam, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 263.1 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 51.9 and 117.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
88.9 mi into trip|~2h in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
5
89.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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.
5
117.3 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.18 one way
$148.36 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$77.72
$155.44
premium
$5.39
$80.82
$161.65
diesel
$4.80
$71.90
$143.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.2
1
$39.98
$18.28
Efficient EV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
EV Truck/SUV
152.3
1
$53.31
$24.37
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Hoquiam, WA
Evening
in Hoquiam on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 8:50PM PDT until July 17 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 8:50PM PDT until July 17 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Evening
in Spokane Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 3 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 8:50PM PDT until July 17 at 7:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 8:50PM PDT until July 17 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
54°F
North Bend, WA
190 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
8 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
7h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 105.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 93% highway, so expect to be on major roads for most of the trip. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 263.1 miles on I-90, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your trip as you approach Spokane Valley. Prepare for a significant amount of time merging and maintaining speed on interstates.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.9 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 380.8 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: at 51.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,519 ft12 ft
Total Climb
4,124 ft
Total Descent
2,123 ft
Highest Point
2,519 ft
~217.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,507 ft
Notable High Points
2,519 ft at ~217.6 miles+726 ft prominence
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 Hoquiam, WA to Spokane Valley, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation 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 7h 25m. Total distance: 380.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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.
