Trip from Mount Vista, WA to Spokane, WA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 51m

Distance

360.7 mi

581 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 39m ★

6 AM

6h 51m

8 AM

7h 14m

10 AM

6h 59m

12 PM

6h 57m

3 PM

7h 0m

5 PM

7h 13m

8 PM

6h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Mount Vista, WA

JOHN CALLERY

Spokane, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Mount Vista, WA to Spokane, WA is 360.7 miles and takes about 6h 51m via Columbia River Highway and US 395, with a fuel budget near $81 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into another part of Washington State. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads for most of the trip, with about 40% of it being on high-speed roads. It's a solid day trip if you get an early start, but you could also break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.

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

180.4 miles from Mount Vista, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m 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 205	9.9 mi	12m
Lewis and Clark Trail	4.9 mi	6m
Northeast 72nd Avenue	3.3 mi	5m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway	3.3 mi	4m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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, WA.

Start on Northeast Sam Smith Drive

208 ft · 9 sec · Northeast Sam Smith Drive

Turn right onto Northeast 159th Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · Northeast 159th Street

Turn right onto Northeast 72nd Avenue

3.3 mi · 5 min · Northeast 72nd Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Northeast Andresen Road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Northeast Andresen Road

Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Northeast Padden Parkway

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 205

9.9 mi · 12 min · I 205

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 22 Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; US 30

158 mi · 2 hr 55 min · Columbia River Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; US 30

11 mi · 12 min · Old Oregon Trail Highway

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla

Continue on I 82

30 mi · 33 min · McNary Highway

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

Continue on US 395

1.1 mi · 2 min · South US 395

Continue on US 395

4.9 mi · 6 min · Lewis and Clark Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 395

Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 395

Toward US 395

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

131 mi · 2 hr 20 min · US 395

Toward US 395 North: Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 2; US 395

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street

Continue on West 5th Avenue

382 ft · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue

Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Freeway Avenue

Continue on West 4th Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West 4th Avenue

Continue on West 4th Avenue

167 ft · 4 sec · West 4th Avenue

Continue on South Lincoln Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Lincoln Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto West Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Main Avenue

Turn right

26 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto South Gorge Trail

157 ft · 17 sec · South Gorge Trail

Arrive at destination

South Gorge Trail

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 51-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you have plenty of daylight. With 360.7 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $81, planning a single stop for gas and a break should be sufficient. Pay attention to the transition between the 40% highway driving and the surface roads, especially as you cover the longest stretch of 158.1 miles on the Columbia River Highway. This manageable distance makes it a feasible same-day trip, but if you prefer to take it easy, consider stopping halfway.

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 180.4 miles from Mount Vista, WA, or about 3h 27m 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 79 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 180.4 miles or 3h 27m 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 43m

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 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 360.7 miles and 6h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

180 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sunnyside, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Umatilla, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.4 miles from Mount Vista, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.1 mi from 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 1.7 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | Northeast 72nd Avenue

Turn right onto Northeast 72nd Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

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

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,...

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...

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

$70.27 one way

$140.53 round trip

$4.95/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.18	$73.62	$147.23
premium	$5.39	$76.56	$153.11
diesel	$4.80	$68.11	$136.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	108.2	1	$37.87	$17.31
Efficient EV	90.2	1	$31.56	$14.43
EV Truck/SUV	144.3	1	$50.50	$23.08

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 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

Mount Vista, WA

Evening in Mount Vista on Saturday

Local time

6:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 2 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:40AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Destination

Spokane, WA

Evening in Spokane on Saturday

Local time

6:27 PM

PDT

Current temp

63°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 34% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:40AM 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

10 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 51m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive features a 40% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on the Columbia River Highway is 158.1 miles. After the highway sections, you'll transition to more varied surface roads. Be prepared for a mix of driving conditions, from open cruising to more controlled speeds as you navigate different road types.

40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

29 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 Effort 9/10

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 360.7 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

Gently rolling terrain

2,274 ft 47 ft

Total Climb

2,715 ft

Total Descent

1,115 ft

Highest Point

2,274 ft

~335 mi in

Elevation Range

2,228 ft

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, WA, road signs point toward Umatilla, Pasco and Finley.

Umatilla

186.4 mi in | ~3h 34m

Pasco

217.1 mi in | ~4h 8m | via US 395

Finley

226.4 mi in | ~4h 22m | via US 395

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Vista, WA

Full guide →

Arriving in Spokane, WA

Full guide →

Founded 1871

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 51m. Total distance: 360.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 51m 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 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Mount Vista, WA or browse trips ending in Spokane, WA.

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Trip from Mount Vista, WA to Spokane, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-84

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Sprague Lake Eastbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Memaloose Park Rest Area Eastbound

Memaloose Park Rest Area Westbound

Sprague Lake Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Boardman Rest Area Westbound

Boardman Rest Area Eastbound

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

EZ Trip Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

TA Express

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Chamberlain Lake Safety Rest Area

Kodak Point Highway Pullout

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mount Vista, WA

Spokane, WA

Same local time

10 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 51m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Mount Vista, WA

Arriving in Spokane, WA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Spokane, WA

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