Trip from Salmon Creek, WA to Spokane, WA

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

Drive Time

6h 46m

Distance

359.2 mi

578 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 35m ★

6 AM

6h 47m

8 AM

7h 10m

10 AM

6h 55m

12 PM

6h 53m

3 PM

6h 56m

5 PM

7h 9m

8 PM

6h 40m

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

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Salmon Creek, WA

Ken Cheatham

Trip Overview

Embarking from Salmon Creek, Washington, this 359.2-mile journey to Spokane, Washington, is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 6 hours and 46 minutes. It's designed as a single-day trip, though you'll want to start early to comfortably cover the distance. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $75 for this leg. The route primarily utilizes highways like the Columbia River Highway and US 395, offering a varied driving experience across the Pacific Coast region. With just one recommended stop, it’s a straightforward, practical transit 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

179.6 miles from Salmon Creek, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m 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
I 205	13.5 mi	17m
Old Oregon Trail Highway	11.4 mi	12m
Lewis and Clark Trail	4.9 mi	6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway	3.3 mi	4m
I 90	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Columbia River Highway — 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salmon Creek, WA and Spokane, WA.

Start on Northeast Strand Road

264 ft · 51 sec · Northeast Strand Road

Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue

93 ft · 5 sec · Northeast 20th Avenue

Turn right onto Northeast Highway 99

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Northeast Highway 99

Continue on Northeast 20th Avenue

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Northeast 20th Avenue

Turn right onto Northeast 134th Street

162 ft · 4 sec · Northeast 134th Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 205

14 mi · 17 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 359.2-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Salmon Creek to avoid traffic and maximize daylight. While it's doable in one day, factor in the 6-hour, 46-minute driving time and the estimated $75 fuel cost. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 158.1 miles on the Columbia River Highway, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on this longer segment. Given the single recommended stop, be prepared to be self-sufficient for snacks and drinks.

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 179.6 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, or about 3h 24m 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 179.6 miles or 3h 24m 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 38m

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 Salmon Creek, 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 Salmon Creek, WA

This is one driving day of about 359.2 miles and 6h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Salmon Creek, 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

Warm Springs, OR

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

Yacolt, WA

Fuel and coffee

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

Hermiston, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.6 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Spokane, WA

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 359.2

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15092792124

Visit website

Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cascade Locks, Oregon

1.3 mi

Le Petit Café Troutdale

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Troutdale, Oregon

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

First Avenue Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15099708185

Visit website

Atticus Coffee & Gifts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

0.4 mi

Indaba Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

0.4 mi

Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 359.2

Spokane, WA

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15092792124

Visit website

Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 51.3

Cascade Locks, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+15413926872

Visit website

Le Petit Café Troutdale

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.7

Troutdale, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19714198391

Visit website

Peachtree Restaurant & Pie House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13606936736

Los Dos Compadres

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.7

Washougal, Washington

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13603351706

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Vancouver Mall

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15648882515

Visit website

First Avenue Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15099708185

Visit website

Atticus Coffee & Gifts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+15097470336

Visit website

Indaba Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15094433566

Visit website

Ladder Coffee Roasters-Downtown

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15099925258

Visit website

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15094563931

Visit website

Caffe Capri

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15097473088

Visit website

Meeting House Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15099341591

Visit website

Ca Phe Nguyen Coffee & Tea

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

+18008991482

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, WA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15096256600

Manito Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

+15096256200

Visit website

Get Air Trampoline Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 359.2

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15093811757

Visit website

Devil-ish Little Things Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

+15038414232

Visit website

Twisted Escape Rooms

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13608333227

Visit website

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 0.5 and 225.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | Northeast 134th Street

Turn right onto Northeast 134th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 205 South: Salem

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 205 South: Salem

14.5 mi into trip | ~20m 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

224.8 mi into trip | ~4h 18m 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...

225.3 mi into trip | ~4h 19m 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

$75.18 one way

$150.35 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$78.84	$157.68
premium	$5.77	$81.57	$163.14
diesel	$5.61	$79.31	$158.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$100–$125

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	107.8	1	$37.72	$17.24
Efficient EV	89.8	1	$31.43	$14.37
EV Truck/SUV	143.7	1	$50.29	$22.99

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Salmon Creek, WA

Evening in Salmon Creek on Saturday

Local time

6:12 PM

PDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spokane, WA

Evening in Spokane on Saturday

Local time

6:12 PM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Warm Springs, OR

180 mi in

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

3 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

6h 46m 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 presents a mixed landscape, with 41% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 158.1 miles along the Columbia River Highway, which likely offers a more scenic and winding experience compared to the more direct US 395. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially more local road sections as you progress towards Spokane. This variation means you'll need to adjust your driving style throughout the 6-hour and 46-minute trip.

41% 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 0.5 miles in near Northeast 134th Street.

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 359.2 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 0.5 miles (Northeast 134th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Salmon Creek, WA and Spokane, WA, road signs point toward Umatilla, Pasco and Finley.

Umatilla

184.8 mi in | ~3h 29m

Pasco

215.5 mi in | ~4h 4m | via US 395

Finley

224.8 mi in | ~4h 18m | via US 395

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 359.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 46m 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.

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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Salmon Creek, WA or browse trips ending in Spokane, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.

Trip from Salmon Creek, WA to Spokane, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

First Avenue Coffee

Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant

Le Petit Café Troutdale

Peachtree Restaurant & Pie House

Los Dos Compadres

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Vancouver Mall

First Avenue Coffee

Atticus Coffee & Gifts

Indaba Coffee

Ladder Coffee Roasters-Downtown

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Caffe Capri

Meeting House Café

Ca Phe Nguyen Coffee & Tea

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

BTCPower Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Riverfront Park

Mobius Discovery Center

The Great Northern Clocktower

Manito Park

Get Air Trampoline Park

Devil-ish Little Things Museum

Twisted Escape Rooms

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Salmon Creek, WA

Spokane, WA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 46m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

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