Spokane Valley, WA to Steilacoom, WA is 312 miles and takes about 5 hours 57 minutes via I 90 and I 5, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the Pacific Coast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is manageable for most drivers.
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 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
I 5
11.4 mi
14m
Spokane Valley Freeway
11.3 mi
14m
Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
5.3 mi
10m
South 84th Street
0.8 mi
1m
Tacoma Mall Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
Rainier Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 252 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,426 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,032
Quietest
2 AM
~104 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.7×
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 Steilacoom, 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
4.1 mi·5 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 129Toward South 72 Street, South 84 StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward South 72nd Street, South 84th Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto Tacoma Mall Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Tacoma Mall Boulevard
19
Turn right onto South 84th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South 84th Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto South Tacoma Way
0.3 mi·37 sec·South Tacoma Way
21
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
22
Turn straight onto Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
5.3 mi·10 min·Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Puyallup Street
305 ft·10 sec·Puyallup Street
24
Turn straight onto Rainier Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Rainier Street
25
Arrive at destination
Rainier Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 57 minute drive time, departing Spokane Valley in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Steilacoom with plenty of daylight. The drive is long enough that a single stop for fuel and a break is recommended, especially during the 252-mile stretch on I 90. Consider getting gas before you leave Spokane Valley to maximize your range. Since the entire route is achievable in one day, you have flexibility with your departure time, but an earlier start will make for a more relaxed experience.
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 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 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Steilacoom, 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 312.1 miles and 5h 57m.
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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 303.9 — 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
303.9 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward South 72 Street, South 84 Street
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 129
Toward South 72 Street, South 84 Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.15 one way
$138.31 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$72.56
$145.11
premium
$6.08
$74.71
$149.41
diesel
$5.35
$65.74
$131.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.6
1
$32.77
$14.98
Efficient EV
78
0
$27.31
$12.48
EV Truck/SUV
124.8
1
$43.69
$19.97
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 May 25, 2026
Origin
Spokane Valley, WA
Afternoon
in Spokane Valley on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 24 at 9:06PM PDT until May 25 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 11:37AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Steilacoom, WA
Afternoon
in Steilacoom on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued May 24 at 9:06PM PDT until May 25 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 24 at 11:37AM 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
1 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 57m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 279.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 97% highway, so expect mostly high-speed driving on Interstate 90 and Interstate 5. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 252 miles on I 90. You'll transition to surface roads for the final part of the trip after the extensive highway miles. Watch for frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach urban areas.
97% 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 312.1 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
2,599 ft76 ft
Total Climb
1,836 ft
Total Descent
3,774 ft
Highest Point
2,599 ft
~222.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,523 ft
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 Steilacoom, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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.
Steilacoom, a small town of 6,400 people (2018) on the southern Puget Sound, is the oldest incorporated town in Washington state. It has 4 buildings and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the oldest Catholic church in the state and the first Protestant church north of the Columbia River.
Top landmarks
•Steilacoom Catholic Church — church in Steilacoom, Washington
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 312.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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 Steilacoom, 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.
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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Steilacoom, WA before the return drive.
