Tulalip Bay to Spokane is 313.2 miles and takes about 5h 59m via I-5, I-405, and I-90, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route crosses Washington state from the Pacific Coast region to the interior, primarily utilizing major interstate highways. You'll experience a significant shift in scenery and environment as you move eastward across the state. Given its manageable length and mostly highway profile, this trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
156.6 miles from Tulalip Bay, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
269.5 mi
4h 53m
I 405
18 mi
22m
I 5
15.8 mi
19m
Marine Drive
4.4 mi
8m
Mission Beach Road
0.9 mi
3m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
1m
Mission Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
64th Street Northwest
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.5 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 Tulalip Bay, WA and Spokane, WA.
1
Start on this road
431 ft·33 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Mission Beach Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Mission Beach Road
3
Turn left onto Mission Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Mission Avenue
4
Continue on 64th Street Northwest
0.4 mi·54 sec·64th Street Northwest
5
Turn right onto Marine Drive
4.4 mi·8 min·Marine Drive
6
Enter roundabout onto Marine Drive Northeast
137 ft·2 sec·Marine Drive Northeast
7
Continue on Marine Drive Northeast
0.2 mi·34 sec·Marine Drive Northeast
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 5 South: SeattleUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
16 mi·19 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 90
268 mi·4 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
18
Continue on West 5th Avenue
382 ft·12 sec·West 5th Avenue
19
Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Freeway Avenue
20
Continue on West 4th Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·West 4th Avenue
21
Continue on West 4th Avenue
167 ft·4 sec·West 4th Avenue
22
Continue on South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Main Avenue
24
Turn right
26 ft·8 sec
25
Turn left onto South Gorge Trail
157 ft·17 sec·South Gorge Trail
26
Arrive at destination
South Gorge Trail
Trip Plan
You can comfortably complete this 313.2-mile drive in a single day, so aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic around Seattle. The total driving time is under 6 hours, leaving room for a brief stop. Consider stopping for fuel before you leave the greater Seattle area, as services may be more spread out once you're further east on I-90. With a fuel cost estimate around $66, it's wise to factor this into your budget. You'll have plenty of flexibility with this route's length, allowing for spontaneous breaks if needed.
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 156.6 miles from Tulalip Bay, WA, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.5 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 6m 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 55m
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 Tulalip Bay, 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 Tulalip Bay, WA
This is one driving day of about 313.2 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Tulalip Bay, 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 269.5 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 6.4 and 41.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
22.4 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
24.2 mi into trip|~38m 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.
8
41.3 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
41.8 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.01 one way
$122.02 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$63.92
$127.84
premium
$5.39
$66.47
$132.95
diesel
$4.80
$59.14
$118.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94
1
$32.89
$15.03
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
EV Truck/SUV
125.3
1
$43.85
$20.04
Gas CO2
110 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Tulalip Bay, WA
Morning
in Tulalip Bay on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spokane, WA
Morning
in Spokane on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
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
22 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 59m 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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 43.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on the interstate, with 97% of the 313.2 miles on highways. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 269.5 miles. Expect to encounter urban merging and dense exits as you navigate through the Seattle metropolitan area on I-5 and I-405 before transitioning to more open highway cruising on I-90. The transition from urban to more rural highway driving will be noticeable as you progress eastward.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.
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 313.2 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 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,535 ft72 ft
Total Climb
4,361 ft
Total Descent
2,598 ft
Highest Point
2,535 ft
~89.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,463 ft
Notable High Points
2,535 ft at ~89.5 miles+541 ft prominence
2,211 ft at ~156.6 miles+596 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tulalip Bay, WA and Spokane, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Seattle.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 313.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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 269.5 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 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles (I 405): 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
