Origin
Spokane Valley, WA
Evening in Spokane Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spokane Valley, WA to Chico, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 22m
Distance
335.5 mi
540 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$70
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 10m
★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chico, WA
Boko Shots
Trip Overview
Embark on a 335.5-mile journey from Spokane Valley, WA, to Chico, WA, that will take approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-90, WA 16, and State Route 18, making it a feasible one-day trip. Budget around $70 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop along the way. Given its manageable length and highway nature, this drive offers a straightforward passage across Washington 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
167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 252 mi | 4h 32m |
| WA 16 | 28.3 mi | 36m |
| State Route 18 | 26.7 mi | 34m |
| Spokane Valley Freeway | 11.3 mi | 14m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 3 Northwest | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Chico Way Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 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 Chico, 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 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use 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, Tacoma
Use 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, Tacoma
Use 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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 16
28 mi
·
36 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Chico Way Northwest
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Chico Way Northwest
22
Arrive at destination
Chico Way Northwest
Trip Plan
This 6-hour and 22-minute drive is well-suited for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave early to maximize daylight hours and arrive with ample time to spare. The longest stretch is over 250 miles on I-90, so plan your fuel and rest stops strategically before hitting that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $70, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the long I-90 portion where services might be more spaced out.
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 167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, or about 3h 3m 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 74 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.8 miles or 3h 3m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chico, 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 335.5 miles and 6h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.8 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 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
$70.22 one way
$140.43 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $73.64 | $147.28 |
| premium | $5.77 | $76.19 | $152.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.07 | $148.15 |
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: 117.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.23 | $16.10 |
| Efficient EV | 83.9 | 0 | $29.36 | $13.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.2 | 1 | $46.97 | $21.47 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Chico, WA
Evening in Chico on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
168 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
11 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 22m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 323.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates and state routes. With 99% of the route on these types of roads, expect a consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 252 miles on I-90, so settle in for some extended highway cruising. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of WA 16 and State Route 18 may introduce slightly different road characteristics as you progress.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 WA 16. 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 Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 335.5 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Chico, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
264 mi in
|
~4h 48m
Tacoma
264 mi in
|
~4h 48m
Bremerton
301.1 mi in
|
~5h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 335.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 Chico, 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.
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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chico, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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