This 330.1-mile journey from Yelm, WA, to Spokane Valley, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel, with a projected fuel cost of $69. The route primarily utilizes I-90, covering 96% of the total mileage, making it a very direct path across Washington state. With only one recommended stop and a longest uninterrupted stretch of 263.1 miles on I-90, this drive offers a consistent pace. It's a practical choice for a day trip, allowing you to cover significant ground without needing an overnight stay.
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
165.1 miles from Yelm, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
263.1 mi
4h 46m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
24.6 mi
30m
Yelm Highway Southeast
4.3 mi
7m
Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi
4m
Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi
4m
Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi
3m
WA 510 Alternate
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 263.1 mi, about 4h 46m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 162 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,511 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
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 Yelm, WA and Spokane Valley, WA.
1
Start on this road
54 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
164 ft·7 sec·North 1st Street
3
Turn right onto WA 510
0.7 mi·1 min·West Yelm Avenue
4
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
0.6 mi·1 min·Killion Road Southeast
5
Turn left onto WA 510 Alt
0.9 mi·1 min·WA 510 Alternate
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
129 ft·2 sec·Yelm Highway Southeast
7
Continue on WA 510
4.2 mi·7 min·Yelm Highway Southeast
8
Enter roundabout onto WA 510
98 ft·1 sec·Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
9
Continue on WA 510
0.2 mi·20 sec·Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
10
Enter roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
23 ft·0 sec·Reservation Road Southeast
11
Continue on Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi·4 min·Reservation Road Southeast
12
At end of road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi·3 min·Old Pacific Highway Southeast
13
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi·4 min·Nisqually Road Southwest
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
15
Merge onto I 5
16 mi·20 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
21
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
11 mi·14 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward WA 27
24
Turn left onto WA 27
148 ft·11 sec·North Pines Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
WA 27
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 21-minute duration, starting your drive from Yelm early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimate of $69, plan your refueling stops accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch is 263.1 miles on I-90. While this route is designed for a single day, a brief stop around the halfway point could be beneficial for stretching and a quick break. Pay attention to the transition from I-5 and State Route 18 onto I-90 to ensure a smooth merge.
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 165.1 miles from Yelm, WA, or about 3h 20m 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 73 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.1 miles or 3h 20m 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 14m
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 Yelm, 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 Yelm, WA
This is one driving day of about 330.1 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Yelm, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 38.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.7 mi into trip|~13m in|Reservation Road Southeast
Enter roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
9.5 mi into trip|~17m in|Old Pacific Highway Southeast
At end of road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
Navigation decision point
5
13.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
6
30 mi into trip|~46m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
38.2 mi into trip|~56m 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
$64.30 one way
$128.61 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$67.37
$134.74
premium
$5.39
$70.06
$140.12
diesel
$4.80
$62.33
$124.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99
1
$34.66
$15.84
Efficient EV
82.5
0
$28.88
$13.20
EV Truck/SUV
132
1
$46.21
$21.13
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 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 19, 2026
Origin
Yelm, WA
Late night
in Yelm on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Fog
NNW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Spokane Valley, WA
Late night
in Spokane Valley on Monday
Local time
2:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
54°F
North Bend, WA
165 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
6 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 21m 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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 56.9
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 a highway experience, with 96% of the route consisting of major interstates. You'll find yourself on I-90 for the vast majority of your trip, including a significant 263.1-mile segment that allows for consistent cruising. While the profile is highway-focused, the initial and final portions may involve State Route 18 and I-5, offering slight variations before you merge onto the main east-west corridor. Expect a fairly uniform driving experience for most of the 6 hours and 21 minutes, characterized by efficient travel across the state.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
8/10
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 6.7 miles in near Reservation Road Southeast.
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 18 significant decision points across 330.1 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 6.7 miles (Reservation Road Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.5 miles (Old Pacific Highway Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,873 ft278 ft
Total Climb
4,421 ft
Total Descent
2,760 ft
Highest Point
2,873 ft
~94.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,596 ft
Notable High Points
2,873 ft at ~94.3 miles+818 ft prominence
2,226 ft at ~165.1 miles+551 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Yelm, WA to Spokane Valley, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
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 6h 21m. Total distance: 330.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 6.7 miles (Reservation Road Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.5 miles (Old Pacific Highway Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles: 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
