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Trip from Yelm, WA to Spokane, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 12m

Distance

321.5 mi

517 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 0m ★
6 AM
6h 13m
8 AM
6h 38m
10 AM
6h 22m
12 PM
6h 19m
3 PM
6h 23m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Yelm, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 321.5-mile journey from Yelm, Washington, to Spokane, Washington, is designed as a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 6 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-90 and I-5, along with State Route 18. You can expect a fuel cost of around $67 for this trip. Given its duration and highway nature, it’s a manageable drive within a single day, allowing you to cover significant ground efficiently. This trip takes you across the state of Washington, moving from the Pacific Coast region eastward.

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

160.8 miles from Yelm, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 253.5 mi 4h 34m
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 — 253.5 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Yelm, WA and Spokane, 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 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use 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

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 2; US 395
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward Maple Street, Lincoln Street, Walnut Street
24

Continue on West 5th Avenue

382 ft · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue
25

Turn straight onto West Freeway Avenue

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Freeway Avenue
26

Continue on West 4th Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West 4th Avenue
27

Continue on West 4th Avenue

167 ft · 4 sec · West 4th Avenue
28

Continue on South Lincoln Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
29

Turn left onto West Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Main Avenue
30

Turn right

26 ft · 8 sec
31

Turn left onto South Gorge Trail

157 ft · 17 sec · South Gorge Trail
32

Arrive at destination

South Gorge Trail

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour, 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Yelm to maximize your daylight and minimize potential traffic. With a fuel cost estimate of $67, plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 253.5 miles on I-90. While the route is designed for a single day, you’ll encounter only one recommended stop, so be prepared for extended periods behind the wheel. Keep an eye on the weather, as conditions can change across Washington State, particularly as you head east.

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 160.8 miles from Yelm, WA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 71 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 160.8 miles or 3h 15m 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 7m

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 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 321.5 miles and 6h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 253.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, WA

161 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Monroe, WA to Spokane, WA

283.3 mi · 5h 30m

Pacing Suggestions

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cashmere, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.8 miles from Yelm, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 253.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Black Bear Diner Lakewood

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Washington

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12532670238

Visit website

Yi's Traditional Korean Beef Soup Restaurant (이가네 전통 설렁탕)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lakewood, Washington

1.9 mi

The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Snoqualmie, Washington

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

First Avenue Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 321.5

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15099708185

Visit website

Atticus Coffee & Gifts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

0.4 mi

Indaba Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spokane, Washington

0.4 mi

Black Bear Diner Lakewood

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12532670238

Visit website

Yi's Traditional Korean Beef Soup Restaurant (이가네 전통 설렁탕)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 23

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm

+12533011655

Visit website

The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 68.9

Snoqualmie, Washington

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14258882556

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 23

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12534733078

Visit website

509 Philly Stop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.8

Kittitas, Washington

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15098565946

Visit website

First Avenue Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15099708185

Visit website

Atticus Coffee & Gifts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+15097470336

Visit website

Indaba Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15094433566

Visit website

Ladder Coffee Roasters-Downtown

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15099925258

Visit website

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15094563931

Visit website

Caffe Capri

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15097473088

Visit website

Meeting House Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15099341591

Visit website

Gravity Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 23

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12534478740

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

+18008991482

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

BTCPower Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18664676920

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Riverfront Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+15096256600

Visit website

Mobius Discovery Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15093217121

Visit website

The Great Northern Clocktower

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, WA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15096256600

Manito Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

+15096256200

Visit website

McChord AFB Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 23

McChord AFB, Washington

Hours: 12–4 pm

+12539822485

STAR Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12534043939

Visit website

Get Air Trampoline Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 321.5

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+15093811757

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

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

$67.29 one way

$134.57 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $70.57 $141.13
premium $5.77 $73.01 $146.02
diesel $5.61 $70.98 $141.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$67

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.5 1 $33.76 $15.43
Efficient EV 80.4 0 $28.13 $12.86
EV Truck/SUV 128.6 1 $45.01 $20.58

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

38 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Yelm, WA

Evening in Yelm on Saturday

Local time

7:48 PM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spokane, WA

Evening in Spokane on Saturday

Local time

7:48 PM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

59°F

Monroe, WA

161 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

14 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 12m 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

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 55.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 95% of the mileage on major roads like I-90 and I-5. This means consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for most of the 321.5 miles. The route features a substantial longest stretch of 253.5 miles on I-90, indicating extended periods of highway driving without significant detours. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of State Route 18 offers a transition point. The character of the road is geared towards efficient travel across the state.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 321.5 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 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.

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, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.

Muckleshoot Reservation

38.2 mi in | ~56m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 321.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 90. 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: 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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