University Place, WA to Spokane Valley, WA is 306.5 miles and takes about 5h 47m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily follows Interstate 90 across Washington State, transitioning from the Pacific Coast region to another Pacific Coast location. Given its mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward drive for a single day, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground across the state. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a predictable and manageable route.
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
153.2 miles from University Place, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
263.1 mi
4h 46m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
WA 16
1.9 mi
2m
South 19th Street
1.2 mi
2m
27th Street West
0.6 mi
1m
Bridgeport Way West
0.5 mi
1m
Columbia Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 263.1 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 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 University Place, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on Grandview Drive West
146 ft·12 sec·Grandview Drive West
2
Turn left onto 27th Street West
0.6 mi·1 min·27th Street West
3
Turn left onto Bridgeport Way West
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridgeport Way West
4
Turn right onto South 19th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·South 19th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on Columbia Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·Columbia Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on South 19th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·South 19th Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Orchard Street
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, PortlandUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto WA 16
1.9 mi·2 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 5
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
18
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
21
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
For this 5 hour and 47 minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time, but consider starting around 9 AM to avoid peak morning commute traffic. The longest stretch is over 260 miles on I 90, so plan for one fuel and rest stop roughly halfway through this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer stretches, as services can sometimes be spaced out on the interstate.
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 153.2 miles from University Place, WA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.1 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 67 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.2 miles or 2h 59m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spokane Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving University Place, 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 University Place, WA
This is one driving day of about 306.5 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from University Place, 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 263.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 14.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|South 19th Street
Turn right onto South 19th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|South Orchard Street
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
7
6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
14.6 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.71 one way
$119.41 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$62.55
$125.11
premium
$5.39
$65.05
$130.11
diesel
$4.80
$57.87
$115.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.91
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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
University Place, WA
Late night
in University Place on Monday
Local time
2:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
WSW 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Late night
in Spokane Valley on Monday
Local time
2:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM 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
16 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 47m 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 31.7
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, with 98% of the 306.5 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 263.1 miles on I 90, meaning you can maintain steady cruising for a significant portion of the trip. The transition to surface roads will only occur for a small fraction of the total distance. Expect numerous exits and potential for urban merging as you navigate through populated areas along the route.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.1 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 1.2 miles in near South 19th Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 306.5 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 1.2 miles (South 19th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 306.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.1 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 Spokane Valley, 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 1.2 miles (South 19th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spokane Valley, WA before the return drive.
