Spokane to Port Townsend is 335 miles and takes about 7 hours 17 minutes via I 90 and State Route 525, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily takes you across Washington State, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for a straightforward drive. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points without needing an overnight stop.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.5 miles from Spokane, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
269.6 mi
4h 53m
State Route 525
22 mi
32m
I 405
18.8 mi
23m
WA 525
6.2 mi
11m
Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
5.8 mi
34m
State Route 20
3.3 mi
5m
Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry
3 mi
20m
Mukilteo Speedway
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,832 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,477
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
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, WA and Port Townsend, 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
211 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
2.3 mi·2 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on WA 525
5.8 mi·9 min·WA 525
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
18
Continue on WA 525 Spur
0.8 mi·1 min·Paine Field Boulevard
19
Turn left onto WA 526
0.4 mi·44 sec·84th Street Southwest
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto WA 525
1.9 mi·4 min·Mukilteo Speedway
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto WA 525
0.1 mi·14 sec·WA 525
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn slight left onto WA 525
0.3 mi·1 min·WA 525
23
Continue on WA 525
3.0 mi·20 min·Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry
24
Continue on WA 525
0.1 mi·40 sec·Ferry Dock
25
Continue on WA 525
22 mi·32 min·State Route 525
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto WA 20
3.3 mi·5 min·State Route 20
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on WA 20
0.2 mi·1 min·South Engle Road
28
Continue on Engle Road
235 ft·8 sec·Engle Road
29
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·29 sec
30
Turn left onto WA 20
92 ft·1 sec·State Route 20
31
Turn straight onto WA 20
5.8 mi·34 min·Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
32
Continue on WA 20
0.1 mi·38 sec·Ferry Dock
Use the left / right lanes.
33
At end of road, turn right onto Water Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Water Street
34
Turn left onto Quincy Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Quincy Street
35
Continue on Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Jefferson Street
36
Turn right onto Tyler Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Tyler Street
37
Arrive at destination
Tyler Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, an early morning departure from Spokane is your best bet to arrive in Port Townsend with plenty of daylight left. With two recommended stops, you can easily break up the 335 miles. The majority of your drive will be on I 90, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to the end of that long stretch. Plan your final refueling stop before you get too far onto the smaller state routes. This trip is manageable in one day, offering flexibility in your pacing.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.5 miles from Spokane, WA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 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 74 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 3h 4m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Townsend, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spokane, WA
This is one driving day of about 335 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Spokane, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 269.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 279.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|West Freeway Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue toward I 90 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
6
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
270.5 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
8
270.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
6
279.3 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.23 one way
$148.46 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$77.88
$155.76
premium
$6.08
$80.19
$160.38
diesel
$5.35
$70.56
$141.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Efficient EV
83.8
0
$29.31
$13.40
EV Truck/SUV
134
1
$46.90
$21.44
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Spokane, WA
Afternoon
in Spokane on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 0 to 3 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Port Townsend, WA
Afternoon
in Port Townsend on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM 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
7h 17m 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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 277.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 96% of the 335 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience the longest stretch on I 90 for 269.6 miles, which means sustained cruising. Expect to transition to surface roads for the final stretch as you approach your destination. The high percentage of highway driving suggests frequent exits and potentially merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 525. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West Freeway 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 24 significant decision points across 335 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 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,510 ft115 ft
Total Climb
2,511 ft
Total Descent
4,215 ft
Highest Point
2,510 ft
~215.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,395 ft
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 Port Townsend, WA, road signs point toward Everett and Bellevue.
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.
Top landmarks
•Monroe Street Bridge — bridge in Spokane, Washington
•Montvale Hotel — hotel in Spokane, Washington
•Manito Park and Botanical Gardens — park in Spokane, Washington state, USA
Port Townsend is a city at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, in Washington, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Puget Sound. In addition to its natural scenery, it is known for its Victorian architecture and thriving arts scene.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 335 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Port Townsend, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Townsend, WA before the return drive.
