Connecting Longview to Spokane requires a 366.8-mile journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, it is feasible as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a longer stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $77 for fuel to complete the trek. Utilizing a combination of I-90, US 12, and I-82, you will navigate across Washington state, transitioning from the Pacific Coast area toward the interior. While the distance is significant, the well-maintained road network keeps the pace steady. If you prefer a more relaxed schedule, splitting the drive into two days is an option, but most travelers will find that one day is sufficient to reach their destination.
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
183.4 miles from Longview, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
168.1 mi
3h
US 12
135.8 mi
2h 45m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
I 5
27.1 mi
29m
Washington Way
0.8 mi
1m
North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
West Cowlitz Way
0.6 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 168.1 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on Olympia Way
120 ft·4 sec·Olympia Way
2
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
444 ft·15 sec·16th Avenue
3
Continue on 16th Avenue
238 ft·8 sec·16th Avenue
4
Continue on Washington Way
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Way
5
Continue on WA 4
0.6 mi·1 min·West Cowlitz Way
6
Turn left onto North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Pacific Avenue
7
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Kelso Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
27 mi·29 min·I 5
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
11
Turn right onto US 12
119 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 12
12
Continue on US 12
17 mi·22 min·US 12
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensburg
14
Turn straight onto WA 823
100 ft·1 sec·Selah Road
15
Take the ramp
111 ft·2 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
17
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi·32 min·I 82; US 97
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
19
Merge onto I 90
166 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 90
20
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
22
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
23
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
24
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
25
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
26
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
28
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
29
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
30
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high, plan for at least two designated stops over the course of the 366.8 miles to stretch and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, checking local traffic reports before departing is a smart way to avoid delays on I-90 or I-82. Try to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you want to arrive in Spokane before the evening rush. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 168.1-mile stretch on I-90, as distance between service centers can vary significantly. By pacing your two planned stops strategically, you can manage the seven-hour duration without feeling completely drained by the time you reach your final destination.
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 183.4 miles from Longview, WA, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.1 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 81 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.4 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
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 Longview, 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 Longview, WA
This is one driving day of about 366.8 miles and 7h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Longview, 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 168.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 196.8 — 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|16th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
29.8 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
5
165.9 mi into trip|~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 West, US 97 North: Selah, Ellensbur...
5
166.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
196.8 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.77 one way
$153.54 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$80.51
$161.02
premium
$5.77
$83.30
$166.59
diesel
$5.61
$80.98
$161.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110
1
$38.51
$17.61
Efficient EV
91.7
1
$32.10
$14.67
EV Truck/SUV
146.7
1
$51.35
$23.48
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Longview, WA
Evening
in Longview on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Evening
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
7h 1m 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.
Mount Rainier National Park
National Park
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning fi...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$30
near mile 101.2
Park Closure: Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, projected to open tomorrow
Park Closure: SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 99% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, providing a consistent, predictable rhythm for your journey. The most significant leg of the trip is a 168.1-mile stretch on I-90, which will require sustained focus as you traverse the state. Expect the road's personality to remain largely uniform, favoring efficiency over technical, winding backroads. Because this is a highway-heavy route, you can maintain a steady pace, though the sheer length of the interstate sections means you should prepare for a long, focused session in the driver's seat.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 16th Avenue.
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 17 significant decision points across 366.8 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 (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Longview, WA and Spokane, WA, road signs point toward Yakima and Ellensburg.
Yakima
29.8 mi in|~35m
Ellensburg
165.9 mi in|~3h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 1m. Total distance: 366.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.1 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 2 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 (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mount Rainier National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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.
