Spokane to Longbranch is 324.8 miles and takes about 6h 18m via I 90 and WA 16, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows major highways across Washington, making it a straightforward trip from the Pacific Coast region to another point within the same region. With a highway-focused profile and a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for those prioritizing efficient travel. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, so pack some good audiobooks or podcasts. Consider this a functional journey rather than one packed with roadside attractions.
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
162.4 miles from Spokane, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
254 mi
4h 35m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
WA 16
12.5 mi
15m
Key Peninsula Highway Northwest
9 mi
15m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
Key Peninsula Highway Southwest
3.7 mi
6m
WA 302
3.3 mi
5m
State Route 302
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 254 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spokane, WA and Longbranch, WA.
1
Start on South Gorge Trail
157 ft·21 sec·South Gorge Trail
2
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
3
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
464 ft·19 sec·West Main Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Monroe Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Monroe Street
5
Turn slight right onto West Freeway Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·West Freeway Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue
188 ft·5 sec·West Freeway Avenue
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
14
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
18
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto WA 16
13 mi·15 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Given the 6h 18m duration, leaving Spokane in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Longbranch with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch on I 90 is substantial, so plan for a fuel stop before you embark on that segment, as it's a long way between services. While there's only one recommended stop on this route, you might want to break up the 254-mile I 90 segment with a brief rest. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, staying aware of the highway transitions onto SR 18 and WA 16 will help you navigate smoothly.
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 162.4 miles from Spokane, WA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254 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 71 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.4 miles or 2h 57m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longbranch, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spokane, 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, WA
This is one driving day of about 324.8 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Spokane, 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 254 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 254.9 and 292.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
254.9 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
255.1 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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,...
7
282.3 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
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 I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
8
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
292.2 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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
$67.98 one way
$135.96 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$71.29
$142.58
premium
$5.77
$73.76
$147.52
diesel
$5.61
$71.71
$143.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
Efficient EV
81.2
0
$28.42
$12.99
EV Truck/SUV
129.9
1
$45.47
$20.79
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Spokane, WA
Evening
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Longbranch, WA
Evening
in Longbranch on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
162 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
13 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 18m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 268.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a 94% highway share, meaning you'll be on faster roads for the vast majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 254 miles on I 90, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent driving. You'll transition from I 90 onto State Route 18 and finally WA 16, offering a change in scenery and road type, though still largely maintaining a high-speed corridor. Expect a consistent travel experience with minimal slowdowns outside of potential urban areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254 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 254.9 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 324.8 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 254.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 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 Spokane, WA and Longbranch, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
255.1 mi in|~4h 38m
Tacoma
255.1 mi in|~4h 38m
Bremerton
292.2 mi in|~5h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 324.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254 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 Longbranch, 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 254.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Longbranch, WA before the return drive.
