This 293.9-mile drive from Spokane Valley, WA, to Riverton, WA, will take approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. The route is almost entirely highway, with a fuel cost estimated at $62, so you'll want to make sure your tank is full before you leave. Primarily utilizing I-90 and I-405, this is a straightforward journey across Washington. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this trip offers a direct path for travelers within the Pacific Coast region.
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
146.9 miles from Spokane Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
267.6 mi
4h 50m
Spokane Valley Freeway
11.3 mi
14m
I 405
10.7 mi
13m
Military Road South
1.2 mi
2m
WA 518
0.9 mi
1m
North Pines Road
0.2 mi
<1m
International Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
South 154th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 267.6 mi, about 4h 50m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 99 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,111 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,743
Quietest
2 AM
~121 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
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 Spokane Valley, WA and Riverton, 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
211 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
11 mi·13 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on WA 518
0.9 mi·1 min·WA 518
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Rental Car Return, State Patrol, Tukwila International Boulevard StationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
231 ft·7 sec
Toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental Car ReturnUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
270 ft·9 sec
Toward South 154th Street, International Boulevard
14
Turn right onto South 154th Street
484 ft·15 sec·South 154th Street
15
Turn left onto International Boulevard
0.1 mi·22 sec·International Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto South 152nd Street
211 ft·12 sec·South 152nd Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Military Road South
1.2 mi·2 min·Military Road South
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto South 133rd Street
267 ft·7 sec·South 133rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
South 133rd Street
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. With the longest stretch between services being 267.6 miles on I-90, plan your fuel stops accordingly. While this drive is manageable in a single day, you'll have flexibility to stop more often if you choose, thanks to its 5-hour 27-minute duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the long segment of I-90.
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 146.9 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 267.6 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 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.9 miles or 2h 41m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverton, 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 293.9 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 267.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 292.2 — 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.
8
279.4 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
7
279.6 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 South: Renton
7
291.9 mi into trip|~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Rental Car Return, State Patrol, Tukwila International Boulevard Station
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 WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma Internationa...
8
292.2 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental Car Return
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.25 one way
$114.51 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$59.98
$119.97
premium
$5.39
$62.38
$124.76
diesel
$4.80
$55.49
$110.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.72
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.15
$18.81
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Spokane Valley, WA
Morning
in Spokane Valley on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Riverton, WA
Morning
in Riverton on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 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
12 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
5h 27m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 283.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 99% of the journey on major interstates like I-90 and I-405. The bulk of your travel, a continuous stretch of 267.6 miles, will be on I-90. This means you'll be covering a lot of ground efficiently, with limited opportunities for slower, scenic detours directly on the main path. The Spokane Valley Freeway will also contribute to the interstate nature of this drive.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 267.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Spokane Valley Freeway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 293.9 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 279.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,557 ft91 ft
Total Climb
2,366 ft
Total Descent
4,028 ft
Highest Point
2,557 ft
~230.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,466 ft
Notable High Points
2,557 ft at ~230.9 miles+567 ft prominence
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 5h 27m. Total distance: 293.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 267.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Riverton, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 279.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Riverton, WA before the return drive.
