Seattle to Spokane — Weather & Driving Conditions

Driving from Seattle, WA to Spokane, WA? This 280-mile route follows I-90. TripCaptain checks the weather at every stop along the way — not just at each end — so you can see where conditions change before you pick a departure time.

What to watch for on this route

In the planner, TripCaptain highlights forecast weather risks between Seattle, WA and Spokane, WA and summarizes the analysis with a Hazard Score™ from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates lower forecast risk, without guaranteeing road conditions.

• Avalanche-control closures: When snow loads high on Snoqualmie Pass (3,022 ft / 921 m), the road can shut for avalanche control with little warning. Closures run from minutes to hours — knowing the official pass status before you leave keeps you from waiting it out on the shoulder.
• Heavy snow & chain controls: Winter storms drop heavy snow across the summit, and posted traction laws can require chains on short notice. Plows keep the road open in bursts, but snow often falls faster than it clears near the top of the pass.
• Black ice: On cold mornings, melt refreezes into black ice on the pass and in shaded curves near freezing, 32 °F (0 °C). It is hardest to see at dawn and after dusk, when the surface looks merely wet.
• Whiteouts on the plateau: East of the pass, wind lifts snow off open ground and cuts visibility below ¼ mile (400 m) across the Columbia Basin. Blowing snow can appear suddenly on an otherwise clear day.

When to go, season by season

• Spring (Mar–May): Snoqualmie Pass can still close for avalanche control into April. Check the official pass status before you go and aim for midday, when the road is warmest and best-plowed.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): The easiest season — clear, dry roads over the pass. Leave early to stay ahead of afternoon heat and any wildfire haze east of the summit.
• Fall (Sep–Nov): First snow and chain controls can reach the pass by November, with morning fog in the valleys. Carry chains and leave mid-morning once the fog lifts.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Pass status decides the trip: heavy snow, chain controls, avalanche closures, and whiteouts on the plateau. Travel midday between storms, carry chains, and know before you leave whether the pass is about to close.

Compare departure times

Open Seattle to Spokane in the planner to check the forecast for your date and compare nearby hours within your plan's limits. Save the trip to follow changing conditions in Live Mode.

Fuel, EV range, and rest stops

See a weather-adjusted fuel or EV energy estimate for the drive, sensible break points across the 280 miles, and a packing list matched to the conditions ahead.

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