Connecting Spokane Valley to Artondale is a straightforward, highway-focused journey covering 312.8 miles across Washington state. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable, albeit long, one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $66, you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route remains entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in climate or geography. It is a highly efficient transit route that favors speed and directness over winding backroads. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or leisure, this drive is best tackled in a single push.
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
156.4 miles from Spokane Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
252 mi
4h 32m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
Spokane Valley Freeway
11.3 mi
14m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
WA 16
7.5 mi
9m
56th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Olympic Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Wollochet Drive Northwest
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 252 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spokane Valley, WA and Artondale, WA.
1
Start on WA 27
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Pines Road
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue
155 ft·6 sec·East Montgomery Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
4
Merge onto I 90
11 mi·14 min·Spokane Valley Freeway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
10
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
14
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 16
7.5 mi·9 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 10Toward Olympic DriveUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto Olympic Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Olympic Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on 56th Street
0.9 mi·1 min·56th Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on Fillmore Drive Northwest
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fillmore Drive Northwest
23
At end of road, turn left onto Wollochet Drive Northwest
0.7 mi·1 min·Wollochet Drive Northwest
24
Turn right onto Artondale Drive Northwest
503 ft·12 sec·Artondale Drive Northwest
25
Arrive at destination
Artondale Drive Northwest
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion as you transition toward the more populated areas near Artondale. Since you have a 252-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-90, use that time to settle into a steady cruising pace, but ensure you schedule your one recommended stop strategically to break up the monotony. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $66 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local prices. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for this trip, as it allows you to avoid peak traffic hours during your arrival. Prioritize a single, well-timed break to maintain your focus for the final approach on State Route 18.
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 156.4 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Artondale, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spokane Valley, 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 Spokane Valley, WA
This is one driving day of about 312.8 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Spokane Valley, 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 252 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 301.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Montgomery Avenue
Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
263.8 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
264 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
291.7 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
301.1 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.47 one way
$130.93 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$68.66
$137.31
premium
$5.77
$71.03
$142.07
diesel
$5.61
$69.06
$138.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.84
$15.01
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.37
$12.51
EV Truck/SUV
125.1
1
$43.79
$20.02
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Spokane Valley, WA
Evening
in Spokane Valley on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Artondale, WA
Evening
in Artondale on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°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
21 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 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is dominated by high-speed travel, with 98% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for a significant 252-mile stretch of the total journey. The drive begins on the Spokane Valley Freeway before transitioning onto the interstate, eventually connecting to State Route 18 as you approach your destination. Because the road is so heavily skewed toward major thoroughfares, you can expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm. Be prepared for a focused, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently rather than navigating slow, technical local roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. 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 East Montgomery Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 312.8 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: at 0.2 miles (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,534 ft42 ft
Total Climb
1,784 ft
Total Descent
3,756 ft
Highest Point
2,534 ft
~223.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,492 ft
Notable High Points
2,534 ft at ~223.4 miles+501 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spokane Valley, WA and Artondale, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
264 mi in|~4h 48m
Tacoma
264 mi in|~4h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 312.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252 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 Artondale, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 263.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Artondale, WA before the return drive.
