Traveling from Sunnyside to Spokane covers 342.3 miles, making for a substantial journey that typically takes 6 hours and 36 minutes. You will primarily navigate via US 395, the Columbia River Highway, and the McNary Highway. Given the duration, this route functions best as a one-day trip, though you should be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $72 for fuel will keep you covered for the transit across the Pacific Coast region. It is a straightforward trip that balances highway time with local transitions, offering a consistent pace from start to finish.
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
171.2 miles from Sunnyside, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 395
131.2 mi
2h 21m
Columbia River Highway
122.2 mi
2h 13m
McNary Highway
29.9 mi
33m
Evergreen Highway
19.9 mi
27m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.4 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail
4.9 mi
6m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
4.5 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 395
— 131.2 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyside, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Stauffer Road
139 ft·9 sec·Northeast Stauffer Road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 292nd Avenue
0.3 mi·23 sec·Northeast 292nd Avenue
3
Continue on Northeast Reilly Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Northeast Reilly Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Northeast Blair Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Northeast Blair Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Washougal River Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Southeast Washougal River Road
6
Continue on North Washougal River Road
1.4 mi·3 min·North Washougal River Road
7
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
196 ft·2 sec·Lewis and Clark Highway
8
Continue on WA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
102 ft·1 sec·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
10
Continue on WA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
11
Continue on WA 14
20 mi·27 min·Evergreen Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Bridge of the Gods
0.6 mi·3 min·Bridge of the Gods
13
Turn right onto US 30
1.3 mi·2 min·Wa-Na-Pa Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 30
0.2 mi·20 sec·Frontage Road
Toward I 84 East
15
Take the ramp onto US 30
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 30
Toward I 84 East
16
Merge onto I 84; US 30
122 mi·2 hr 13 min·Columbia River Highway
17
Continue on I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
19
Continue on I 82
30 mi·33 min·McNary Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
21
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
22
Continue on US 395
4.9 mi·6 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, FinleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 395
Toward US 395
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
131 mi·2 hr 20 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
28
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
29
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
30
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
31
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
32
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
34
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
35
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
36
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
To manage the 6-hour and 36-minute duration effectively, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, plan to break up your drive strategically to stay alert during the long 131.2-mile stretch on US 395. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, ensuring your $72 budget is utilized efficiently at refueling points along the way. Because this is a single-day commitment, flexibility is your greatest advantage; don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break before reaching your destination in Spokane. Prioritize your comfort and hydration to ensure you arrive safely after navigating these specific highway segments.
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 171.2 miles from Sunnyside, WA, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.2 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 75 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.2 miles or 3h 23m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA
This is one driving day of about 342.3 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Sunnyside, 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 US 395 for about 131.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 208.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Northeast 292nd Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 292nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
198.7 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
7
208 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
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 US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...
6
208.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 395
7
208.4 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 395 North: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.64 one way
$143.28 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$75.13
$150.26
premium
$5.77
$77.73
$155.46
diesel
$5.61
$75.58
$151.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.94
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.95
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.92
$21.91
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Sunnyside, WA
Evening
in Sunnyside on Saturday
Local time
6:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Evening
in Spokane on Saturday
Local time
6:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Warm Springs, OR
171 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
3 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
6h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions through varied terrain over the course of your journey. With a 39% highway share, you will encounter both high-speed stretches and more controlled sections as you move between regions. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip occurs on US 395, where you will spend 131.2 miles focused on the road ahead. Because the route is a mix of highway and local roads, your driving style will need to shift periodically to account for changing speed limits and road types. It is an honest, practical drive that demands steady attention rather than constant gear changes.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.2 mi on US 395.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 292nd 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 19 significant decision points across 342.3 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: near the start (Northeast 292nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 198.7 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,309 ft94 ft
Total Climb
3,200 ft
Total Descent
1,752 ft
Highest Point
2,309 ft
~317.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,215 ft
Notable High Points
1,319 ft at ~195.6 miles+698 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sunnyside, WA and Spokane, WA, road signs point toward Umatilla, Pasco and Finley.
Umatilla
167.9 mi in|~3h 19m
Pasco
198.7 mi in|~3h 54m|via US 395
Finley
208 mi in|~4h 7m|via US 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 36m. Total distance: 342.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.2 miles on US 395. 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 Spokane, 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: near the start (Northeast 292nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 198.7 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane, WA before the return drive.
