Mount Vista to Spokane Valley is 369.3 miles and takes about 6h 59m via Columbia River Highway and US 395, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. The route offers a mixed driving experience, transitioning from highway cruising to surface roads. You'll want to consider this drive if you're looking for a direct, single-day trip across the state with a predictable fuel cost.
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
184.7 miles from Mount Vista, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
US 395
131.2 mi
2h 21m
McNary Highway
29.9 mi
33m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.4 mi
12m
I 90
11.3 mi
14m
I 205
9.9 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail
4.9 mi
6m
Northeast 72nd Avenue
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,276 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,842
Quietest
2 AM
~122 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
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 Mount Vista, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Sam Smith Drive
208 ft·9 sec·Northeast Sam Smith Drive
2
Turn right onto Northeast 159th Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Northeast 159th Street
3
Turn right onto Northeast 72nd Avenue
3.3 mi·5 min·Northeast 72nd Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on Northeast Andresen Road
0.5 mi·52 sec·Northeast Andresen Road
5
Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway
0.2 mi·23 sec·Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 205
9.9 mi·12 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 55 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
12
Continue on I 82
30 mi·33 min·McNary Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
14
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
15
Continue on US 395
4.9 mi·6 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, FinleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 395
Toward US 395
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
131 mi·2 hr 20 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
21
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 59m drive, consider leaving Mount Vista in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight for the 369.3 miles. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility, but planning a break around the halfway point or before the longest stretch on Columbia River Highway makes sense. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the 158.1-mile mark on Columbia River Highway, as services might be more spread out. The $78 fuel cost is an estimate, so always check current prices. Given the single-day recommendation, starting early is key to a relaxed pace.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.7 miles from Mount Vista, WA, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 184.7 miles or 3h 32m 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 52m
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 Mount Vista, 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 Mount Vista, WA
This is one driving day of about 369.3 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Mount Vista, 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 Columbia River Highway for about 158.1 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 1.7 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|Northeast 72nd Avenue
Turn right onto Northeast 72nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
16 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
6
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
7
226.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
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.
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...
7
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 395 North: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.94 one way
$143.88 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$75.37
$150.74
premium
$5.39
$78.38
$156.76
diesel
$4.80
$69.73
$139.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.8
1
$38.78
$17.73
Efficient EV
92.3
1
$32.31
$14.77
EV Truck/SUV
147.7
1
$51.70
$23.64
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 16, 2026
Origin
Mount Vista, WA
Evening
in Mount Vista on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 2 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 3:06AM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 2:30AM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Evening
in Spokane Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 3 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 3:06AM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 2:30AM PDT until July 16 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
6 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
6h 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 369.3-mile trip features 42% highway driving, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 158.1 miles along the Columbia River Highway, indicating a significant period of uninterrupted driving before you transition. Expect the profile to be mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and road conditions as you leave the main highways. You'll likely notice the shift from more urban or high-speed environments to more rural cruising as you progress.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Northeast 72nd Avenue.
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 369.3 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 1.7 miles (Northeast 72nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.1 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,362 ft47 ft
Total Climb
3,365 ft
Total Descent
1,586 ft
Highest Point
2,362 ft
~342.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,315 ft
Notable High Points
1,566 ft at ~211 miles+987 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Vista, WA and Spokane Valley, WA, road signs point toward Umatilla, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.
Umatilla
186.4 mi in|~3h 34m
Pasco
217.1 mi in|~4h 8m|via US 395
Spokane
217.1 mi in|~4h 8m|via US 395
Finley
226.4 mi in|~4h 22m|via US 395
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 6h 59m. Total distance: 369.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.1 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Northeast 72nd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.1 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Valley, WA before the return drive.
