Seattle to Spokane: Drive, Stops, and Everything You Need to Know
I’ve driven from Seattle to Spokane 5 times since 2019, and the drive never gets old. The first hour takes you through the Cascade Mountains — dense forest, waterfalls, mountain passes. Then the landscape opens up. By the time you reach Ellensburg, you’re in a different Washington — dry, wide, golden. Two hours later, you’re in Spokane, a city that feels nothing like Seattle and is better for it.
Seattle to Spokane is approximately 280 miles via Interstate-90 (I-90) and takes about 4 to 4.5 hours of nonstop driving. The route crosses the Cascade Mountains at Snoqualmie Pass, passes through the high desert of Central Washington, and arrives in Spokane — the largest city in Eastern Washington. Other travel options include flights (50 minutes), Amtrak’s Empire Builder (about 7 to 8 hours), and bus service (5 to 6 hours).
Here’s a full guide to the drive, the best stops along I-90, alternative travel options, and what to do when you get to Spokane.
Seattle to Spokane Driving Distance and Time
The driving distance from Seattle to Spokane is approximately 280 miles on I-90, with a drive time of 4 to 4.5 hours without stops.
I-90 is the only interstate connecting the 2 cities, and it’s the route 90%+ of drivers take. The highway is well-maintained year-round, though Snoqualmie Pass (elevation 3,022 feet) requires traction tires or chains during winter.
| Segment | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass | 50 miles | 50 min |
| Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg | 55 miles | 45 min |
| Ellensburg to George/Gorge Amphitheater | 50 miles | 45 min |
| George to Moses Lake | 50 miles | 40 min |
| Moses Lake to Spokane | 100 miles | 1.5 hours |
The halfway point between Seattle and Spokane falls near Ellensburg — a college town (Central Washington University) with restaurants and gas stations right off I-90. I stop at Cle Elum Bakery for a donut on every trip. The Red Horse Diner in Ellensburg is my go-to for a full meal, and The Red Pickle works for something quicker.
Practical info:
- Main highway: Interstate-90 (I-90) for the entire route
- Gas cost: Roughly $25 to $40 one-way (280 miles at 28 mpg, $3.50 to $4.00/gal)
- Tolls: None on I-90 between Seattle and Spokane
- Winter driving: Snoqualmie Pass requires traction tires Nov through March. Carry chains. Check WSDOT pass conditions before departing.
- Tip: Leave Seattle by 9 a.m. on a weekday to miss morning traffic and clear the pass before any afternoon weather changes. The stretch east of Ellensburg is flat, fast, and dry — you’ll make up time.
My honest take: The Seattle to Spokane drive is one of my favorite drives in Washington. The first hour through the Cascades is beautiful — waterfalls, old growth forest, and a real mountain crossing. The last 2 hours through the Columbia River basin are flat and open, which some people find boring. I find it meditative. The landscape shift from rain-soaked western Washington to the high desert of eastern Washington is one of the most dramatic transitions in the Pacific Northwest.
8 Best Stops on the Seattle to Spokane Drive
The I-90 corridor between Seattle and Spokane has waterfalls, hiking trails, small towns, a winery, and a gorge amphitheater — all within a few minutes of the highway.
1. Snoqualmie Falls — 30 Miles East of Seattle
Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall just off I-90 at exit 25. The observation deck is a 2-minute walk from the parking lot. The Salish Lodge sits at the top of the falls — fans of Twin Peaks will recognize it as the Great Northern Hotel from the show. The falls are most dramatic in spring when snowmelt swells the river. Budget 20 to 30 minutes. I’ve written more about the Snoqualmie Falls area separately.
2. Rattlesnake Ledge — North Bend
Rattlesnake Ledge is a 4-mile round-trip hike (2 miles each way) near North Bend that climbs to a cliff-top viewpoint overlooking Rattlesnake Lake and the Snoqualmie Valley. The hike takes about 2 hours and is one of the most popular day hikes near Seattle. The parking lot fills early on weekends — arrive before 9 a.m.
3. Franklin Falls — Denny Creek
Franklin Falls is an easy 2-mile round-trip hike to a 70-foot waterfall near Snoqualmie Pass. The trailhead is right off I-90 at the Denny Creek exit. The hike is flat and family-friendly. The waterfall is best in late spring and early summer. Lake Melakwa, a more advanced hike (8.4 miles round trip, 2,300 feet gain), starts from the same trailhead for those wanting a full-day effort.
4. Roslyn — Exit 80
Roslyn is a tiny former coal-mining town that played the fictional Alaskan town of Cicely in the 1990s TV show Northern Exposure. The Roslyn Old Company Mercantile and the mural from the show’s opening credits are still there. The town has a quiet, time-capsule feel — walk the 2-block main street, grab a coffee, and soak in a piece of Pacific Northwest TV history.
5. Ellensburg — Exit 106
Ellensburg sits at the halfway point between Seattle and Spokane and makes the best food-and-fuel stop on I-90. Central Washington University gives the town a college-town energy. The Red Horse Diner serves retro American food with local beef. Cle Elum Bakery (just west of Ellensburg) has been making donuts since 1906. Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensburg makes solid craft beer if you’re stopping for longer.
6. Wild Horses Monument — Exit 143
The Wild Horses Monument (officially called Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies) is a sculpture of 15 wild horses running along a ridge above the Columbia River. It’s a short hike from the I-90 rest area at exit 143. The viewpoint looks out over the Columbia River Gorge — one of the widest, most dramatic views on the entire drive. This is the photo opportunity most people miss.
7. Gorge Amphitheater / Cave B Winery — George, WA
The Gorge Amphitheater sits on a cliff above the Columbia River near George, Washington, and is widely considered one of the best outdoor concert venues in North America. If there’s a show happening during your drive, plan around it. Cave B Winery is next door — tastings with views of the gorge. Frenchman Coulee Recreational Area is nearby for rock climbing and basalt column photography.
8. Twin Pines Drive In — Cle Elum
Twin Pines Drive In is a classic roadside burger stand in Cle Elum. Burgers, milkshakes, and a parking lot full of locals. It’s the kind of stop that doesn’t need a long description — just pull over, order a shake, and enjoy the Cascade mountain air.
My honest take: Snoqualmie Falls and the Wild Horses Monument are the 2 stops I never skip. Snoqualmie Falls takes 20 minutes and gives you one of the best waterfalls in Washington state. The Wild Horses Monument takes 15 minutes and gives you a view of the Columbia River that stretches for miles. Roslyn is the stop I recommend to anyone who watched Northern Exposure or wants to see a piece of small-town Washington that feels untouched.
Other Ways to Get from Seattle to Spokane
Flights take 50 minutes. Amtrak’s Empire Builder takes 7 to 8 hours. Buses take 5 to 6 hours.
Flying
Direct flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Spokane International Airport (GEG) take about 50 minutes. Alaska Airlines and Delta operate multiple daily flights. Round-trip tickets run $100 to $200 — sometimes lower on sales. Door-to-door time (including airport transfers, security, and baggage) is about 3 to 4 hours, which is roughly the same as driving. Flights make sense if you don’t need a car in Spokane.
Amtrak Empire Builder
Amtrak’s Empire Builder train runs daily from Seattle to Spokane. The ride takes about 7 to 8 hours and costs $30 to $90 depending on booking timing. The train follows a different route than I-90, passing through some scenic stretches along the Columbia River and through the Cascades. The train is slow but comfortable — bring a book, a laptop, or a podcast. There is no sleeper car option on the Seattle-Spokane segment (the full Empire Builder runs Seattle to Chicago).
Bus (FlixBus / Greyhound)
FlixBus operates a direct bus from Seattle to Spokane for $23 to $35. The ride takes about 5 hours with stops in Ellensburg and Moses Lake. Greyhound takes 5.5 to 6 hours and costs $35 to $55. Both depart from the Seattle Greyhound/Amtrak station area.
| Method | Time | Cost (One-Way) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving (I-90) | 4 to 4.5 hours | $25 to $40 gas | Flexibility, road trip stops |
| Flight | 50 min air / 3.5 hrs total | $50 to $100 one-way | Speed, no car needed |
| Amtrak Empire Builder | 7 to 8 hours | $30 to $90 | Scenery, relaxation |
| Bus (FlixBus) | 5 to 6 hours | $23 to $55 | Budget travelers |
My honest take: Drive. The Seattle to Spokane drive on I-90 is genuinely enjoyable, and you need a rental car in Spokane anyway — the city doesn’t have the public transit system that Seattle does. The only exception: if you’re going for a weekend event and don’t want to deal with Snoqualmie Pass in winter weather, fly. The 50-minute flight is cheap and stress-free.
About Spokane
Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington with a population of about 560,000 in the metro area and the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis.
The Spokane tribe — a Salishan-speaking people — has inhabited the area for thousands of years. The name “Spokane” comes from the Spokane language and means “Children of the Sun.” James Glover is credited as the city’s modern founder. Spokane sits between the Cascade Range (to the west) and the Rocky Mountains (to the east), giving it a four-season climate with hot summers, cold winters, and more sunshine than Seattle.
Spokane calls itself the Lilac City — lilac bushes bloom across the city in May, and the annual Lilac Festival runs around Memorial Day. The city has a walkable downtown centered on the Spokane River and Riverfront Park (site of the 1974 World’s Fair). Perry Street Brewing is one of the best breweries in the city, and Spokane’s restaurant scene has grown significantly in the last decade.
Spokane is about 30 miles west of the Idaho border and sits close to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — a lake town that’s worth a day trip if you’re in Spokane for more than a weekend.
Seasonal Tips for the Seattle to Spokane Drive
Summer (June through September) is the easiest season to drive. Winter requires mountain-pass preparation.
Summer: Snoqualmie Pass is clear, wildflowers bloom in the Cascades, and eastern Washington is warm (80s to 90s). The Gorge Amphitheater has concerts from Memorial Day through Father’s Day and beyond. I-90 traffic peaks on Friday afternoons heading east.
Fall (October to November): Cooler temps, fall color in the Cascades, lighter traffic. The eastern Washington wheat fields turn golden in early fall. Snow is possible on Snoqualmie Pass by late October.
Winter (December to March): Driving from Seattle to Spokane in winter requires traction tires or chains on Snoqualmie Pass. I-90 rarely closes entirely, but pass conditions can slow the crossing by 30 to 60 minutes. Check WSDOT conditions before departing. The Emerald City side is wet; the Spokane side is cold and dry with possible snow.
Spring (April to May): Rain in western Washington, wildflowers starting in the Cascades, warming temps in the east. Snoqualmie Falls is at peak volume. A good shoulder season for the drive.
Seattle to Spokane: Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Seattle to Spokane?
About 280 miles via I-90, with a drive time of 4 to 4.5 hours without stops.
Is there a train from Seattle to Spokane?
Yes. Amtrak’s Empire Builder runs daily from Seattle to Spokane, taking about 7 to 8 hours and costing $30 to $90 one-way.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Spokane?
About 50 minutes in the air. Direct flights operate daily on Alaska Airlines and Delta between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Spokane International Airport (GEG).
What is the best stop between Seattle and Spokane?
Snoqualmie Falls (30 miles east of Seattle) is the most popular stop. The Wild Horses Monument (exit 143) and Roslyn (exit 80) are the most underrated.
Is the Seattle to Spokane drive safe in winter?
Yes, with preparation. Snoqualmie Pass requires traction tires or chains November through March. I-90 is well-maintained and rarely closes, but snowstorms can add 30 to 60 minutes. Check WSDOT pass conditions before departing.
What is halfway between Seattle and Spokane?
Ellensburg, WA (exit 106) sits at the approximate halfway point — about 110 miles from Seattle and 170 miles from Spokane. It’s the best food and fuel stop on the route.
Final Thoughts
I’ve lived in Seattle since 2018 and driven to Spokane 5 times on I-90. The drive is one of the best in Washington state — not for any single stop, but for the way the landscape transforms across 280 miles. You leave the Emerald City in rain and evergreen forest, cross the Cascades at Snoqualmie Pass, descend into dry open rangeland, pass the Wild Horses Monument overlooking the Columbia River, and arrive in the Lilac City under a bigger, drier, bluer sky.
Seattle and Spokane are the 2 largest cities in Washington, and they feel like they belong to different states. Seattle has the waterfront, the Pike Place Market, and the tech economy. Spokane has the river, the falls, and a pace that moves slower and costs less. The drive between them is the thread that connects western Washington to eastern Washington, and it’s a thread worth following.
Take I-90. Stop at Snoqualmie Falls on the way out. Grab a donut at Cle Elum Bakery. Pull over at the Wild Horses Monument and look down at the Columbia River. And when you arrive in Spokane, find a seat at Perry Street Brewing and order a local IPA. You crossed the Cascades. You earned it.
