Lakewood, WA to Spokane, WA is 299.9 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I-5, SR 18, and I-90, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region across Washington state, ultimately also ending in the Pacific Coast region, though the landscape shifts considerably. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's manageable in a single day. You'll want to be prepared for a full day of driving, but it's a common route for those heading east 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
150 miles from Lakewood, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
253.5 mi
4h 34m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
13.6 mi
17m
100th Street Southwest
1.3 mi
2m
Bridgeport Way Southwest
0.5 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
WA 512
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 34m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~977 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,772
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Lakewood, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest
31 ft·9 sec·Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest
2
Turn sharp right onto Bridgeport Way Southwest
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridgeport Way Southwest
3
Turn slight left onto 100th Street Southwest
1.3 mi·2 min·100th Street Southwest
4
Turn right onto South Tacoma Way
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Tacoma Way
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto WA 512
0.2 mi·17 sec·WA 512
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 5
5.4 mi·6 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 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
For this 5h 39m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 253.5-mile stretch on I-90, consider breaking up the drive about halfway if you prefer more frequent breaks, though it's designed for a single-day trip. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you get further east, as services can become less frequent. A good time to refuel would be before you get onto the longest stretch of I-90.
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 150 miles from Lakewood, WA, or about 2h 54m 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 66 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150 miles or 2h 54m 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 37m
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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, WA
This is one driving day of about 299.9 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Lakewood, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 16.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|South Tacoma Way
Turn right onto South Tacoma Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2 mi into trip|~4m in|WA 512
Turn left onto WA 512
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
7
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
8
16.5 mi into trip|~23m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.16 one way
$128.32 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$67.06
$134.13
premium
$5.89
$69.56
$139.11
diesel
$6.28
$74.10
$148.20
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: 104.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90
1
$31.49
$14.40
Efficient EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
EV Truck/SUV
120
1
$41.99
$19.19
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Lakewood, WA
Late night
in Lakewood on Thursday
Local time
3:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Late night
in Spokane on Thursday
Local time
3:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph2% 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
1 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
5h 39m 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?
This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 299.9 miles. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 253.5 miles, primarily on I-90. You'll experience significant stretches of cruising without many interruptions, so be ready for that. The transition from surface roads to the main interstate system happens early on.
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?
9/10
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 1.8 miles in near South Tacoma Way.
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 16 significant decision points across 299.9 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 1.8 miles (South Tacoma Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (WA 512): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,590 ft119 ft
Total Climb
3,974 ft
Total Descent
2,400 ft
Highest Point
2,590 ft
~86.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,472 ft
Notable High Points
2,590 ft at ~86.4 miles+628 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 Lakewood, WA to Spokane, 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.
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 39m. Total distance: 299.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m 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.
Yes — we found about 22 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, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (South Tacoma Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (WA 512): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
