Martha Lake, WA to Spokane Valley, WA is 302 miles and takes about 5h 38m via I-90, with a fuel budget near $67 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, almost entirely highway drive across Washington State. You'll be on major interstates for most of the trip, making it a convenient option if you want to cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and focus on highways, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan for a smooth ride across the Pacific Coast region.
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
151 miles from Martha Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
279 mi
5h 5m
I 405
18.4 mi
22m
164th Street Southwest
1.4 mi
3m
Alderwood Mall Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
WA 525
0.4 mi
<1m
Pitner Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Shore Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Pines Road
<0.1 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 Martha Lake, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on Pitner Drive
427 ft·24 sec·Pitner Drive
2
Turn left onto East Shore Drive
357 ft·15 sec·East Shore Drive
3
Turn left
360 ft·17 sec
4
Turn right onto 164th Street Southwest
1.4 mi·3 min·164th Street Southwest
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto Alderwood Mall Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Alderwood Mall Parkway
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 South, I 405 South, WA 525 SouthUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto WA 525
0.4 mi·28 sec·WA 525
8
Continue on I 405
1.4 mi·1 min·I 405
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 90
268 mi·4 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
15
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
You can comfortably complete this 302-mile drive in a single day. Leaving Martha Lake in the morning should give you ample time to reach Spokane Valley before dark. Since the route is predominantly highway, plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $67, keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you approach the 279-mile stretch on I-90. This direct route offers flexibility, so you can depart when it suits you best.
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 151 miles from Martha Lake, WA, or about 2h 51m 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 66 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151 miles or 2h 51m 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 36m
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 Martha Lake, 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 Martha Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 302 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Martha Lake, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 22 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|164th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 164th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South, I 405 South, WA 525 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 South, I 405 South, WA 525 South
6
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
21.5 mi into trip|~29m 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
22 mi into trip|~30m 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
$58.83 one way
$117.66 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$61.64
$123.27
premium
$5.39
$64.10
$128.20
diesel
$4.80
$57.02
$114.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.7 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
90.6
1
$31.71
$14.50
Efficient EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
EV Truck/SUV
120.8
1
$42.28
$19.33
Gas CO2
106 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Martha Lake, WA
Morning
in Martha Lake on Monday
Local time
6:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
WSW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Morning
in Spokane Valley on Monday
Local time
6:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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 38m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 20.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 99% highway, meaning you'll spend virtually all 5 hours and 38 minutes on fast-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch is 279 miles, all on I-90. You'll transition from I-405 and 164th Street Southwest onto I-90 early on, and the interstate will be your primary companion for the vast majority of the drive. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal time spent on slower surface streets.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 around 0.2 miles in near 164th Street Southwest.
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 13 significant decision points across 302 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 0.2 miles (164th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,934 ft129 ft
Total Climb
4,480 ft
Total Descent
2,933 ft
Highest Point
2,934 ft
~64.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,806 ft
Notable High Points
2,934 ft at ~64.7 miles+827 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 Martha Lake, 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 38m. Total distance: 302 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m 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: at 0.2 miles (164th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.6 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 Valley, WA before the return drive.
