We love taking road trips with our six children, and we recognize that planning ahead makes a huge difference. We’ve learned that a long driving day goes much more smoothly when we plan a couple of interesting stops along the way!
The drive from Portland, Oregon, to Spokane, Washington, is roughly 350 miles and takes about six hours without long stops. With eight neurodivergent people, meals, bathroom breaks and the inevitable “How much longer?” it’s a full travel day for our family.
Thankfully, there are some fantastic Portland to Spokane road trip stops right along the route. We’ve made this drive several times and in various seasons. These are some of our favorite places to stretch our legs, learn something new or simply let the kids get the wiggles out.
What are the best stops between Portland and Spokane?
If you’re looking for family-friendly places to stop on a Portland to Spokane road trip, some of our favorites are:
- Starvation Creek State Park in the Columbia River Gorge
- Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles
- Sorosis Park in The Dalles
- Maryhill Museum of Art near Goldendale
- Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial
- SAGE Center in Boardman
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site near Walla Walla
- Playground of Dreams in Kennewick
- Riverfront Park in Spokane
You definitely don’t need to visit all of them in one trip! We usually choose one or two based on how much time we have, what everyone is interested in, and how badly we all need a break.
Some stops, like Sorosis Park and Playground of Dreams, work well for a quick stretch-and-play break. Others, including Maryhill Museum and Whitman Mission, are better when you have a little more time to explore.
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Portland to Spokane road trip route
The most direct Portland to Spokane road trip route takes you east through the Columbia River Gorge on I-84. From eastern Oregon, you’ll connect with I-82 and US-395 through the Tri-Cities region before continuing toward Spokane on I-90.
That route conveniently passes several excellent family attractions, parks and museums, which means you don’t need a huge detour to turn a bathroom break into something everyone can enjoy.
Here are our favorite stops, starting in Oregon and continuing east toward Spokane. If you’re driving west from Spokane to Portland, start from the bottom of the article instead.
Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge has dozens of waterfalls, including several that are easy to reach from I-84. Bridal Veil, Latourell, Hole-in-the-Wall and Horsetail Falls are some of the more popular ones, in addition to Multnomah Falls.
Multnomah Falls is the best-known waterfall in the Gorge, but summer visits require a little extra planning. In 2026, timed-use permits are required for I-84 access to Multnomah Falls from May 22 through September 7. Check the Multnomah Falls timed-use permit page before your trip for current requirements.
Unless it’s your first visit to the Gorge, we’d recommend trying one of the other waterfalls instead.
Starvation Creek State Park
Our boys had so much fun stopping at Starvation Creek State Park, between Cascade Locks and Hood River.
You don’t even need to commit to a long hike here. Starvation Creek Falls is only about 50 feet from the parking area, and this trailhead also provides access to several other waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Cabin Creek Falls was particularly fun for our boys. Scrambling around the big boulders nearby was a great way to let them burn some energy before getting back into the car.
Best for: A short outdoor break, waterfalls and getting the wiggles out
Plan for: 30–60 minutes, depending on how far you walk
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon
If your kids love anything with wheels or wings, the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (usually called WAAAM) is a fantastic Portland to Spokane road trip stop.
The museum is packed with historic airplanes and automobiles, giving families plenty to explore indoors. We enjoyed our picnic lunch outside at their covered picnic tables with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
The docents made sure our boys had a great time and answered all their questions. During our visit, the boys even got to climb into a Ford Model T and a WWII-era Army Jeep! We’d recommend allowing about two hours if you want enough time to explore without feeling rushed.
If you have extra time in Hood River, you could also pick up fresh fruit or other local goodies from one of the stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop. The route includes more than 30 farm stands, orchards and other agricultural stops throughout the Hood River Valley.
Best for: Kids who love airplanes, cars and machines
Plan for: About 2 hours
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles, Oregon
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is another excellent stop because there’s something here for so many different interests. It was awe-inspiring to learn about the Ice Age Floods that shaped the Columbia River Gorge while standing next to a full-sized mastodon replica!
The museum explores different eras of Columbia Gorge history, including Indigenous cultures, Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail and the region’s agricultural history. There are also hands-on opportunities for kids, and the museum offers live raptor presentations on a seasonal schedule.
Outside, you can stretch your legs on the paved paths around the museum grounds. We enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers that bloom in late spring, as well as the expansive views of the Columbia River.
We recommend planning about two hours here, or a little longer if you want to enjoy a picnic before getting back on the road.
Best for: History, science and curious kids
Plan for: About 2 hours
Sorosis Park in The Dalles, Oregon
If your family needs room to run, check out Sorosis Park in The Dalles. We took the winding road uphill to the park and were rewarded with fantastic views over The Dalles, with Mt. Hood visible in the distance on a clear day.
Sorosis Park has a playground, walking trail, disc golf, picnic tables, restrooms and several sports facilities, making it an easy place to stop for lunch and let everyone move around for a while.
Our kids loved having space to play tag and hide-and-seek before we asked them to climb back into the car again.
Best for: A free play break and picnic
Plan for: 30–60 minutes
Maryhill Museum of Art near Goldendale, Washington
If you’re willing to make a short detour across the Columbia River into Washington, Maryhill Museum of Art is one of the most unexpected stops along this road trip. Perched high above the Columbia River, the museum is worth visiting for the location alone.
The collections inside are just as entrancing. Maryhill has more than 80 works by Auguste Rodin, along with Indigenous art, objects connected with Queen Marie of Romania, unique chess sets from around the world and the Théâtre de la Mode collection of tiny mannequins dressed in post-World War II French haute couture.
It’s the kind of wonderfully eclectic museum where every room seems to hold something completely different. For families, that variety can be a huge plus. Kids who aren’t particularly interested in paintings may be fascinated by the chess sets, sculptures or miniature fashions instead.
Be sure to leave some time for the museum grounds and the incredible views over the Columbia River Gorge. Maryhill Museum is a seasonal attraction, so check current opening dates, hours and admission prices before planning your stop.
Best for: Art, unusual collections, history and beautiful Columbia River views
Plan for: About 1.5–2 hours
Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial, Washington
Just a few miles from Maryhill Museum is one of the quirkiest Portland to Spokane road trip stops on this list: a full-sized replica of Stonehenge.
Samuel Hill, who founded Maryhill Museum, built the monument as a memorial to Klickitat County servicemen who died during World War I. It overlooks the Columbia River from the original Maryhill townsite.
It’s an impressive structure to walk around, and our kids would definitely vote for “giant Stonehenge in Washington” over another gas-station break! The views here are fantastic too, although you have to hold onto your hats from the strong winds.
Unlike the museum, the Stonehenge Memorial is open year-round, and admission is free. That makes it an especially easy stop if you’re traveling when Maryhill Museum is closed or don’t have enough time for a full museum visit.
Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge are close enough together that you can easily combine them if your schedule allows.
Best for: A quick, unusual roadside stop, history and Columbia River views
Plan for: 20–30 minutes
SAGE Center in Boardman, Oregon
The Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Center, better known as the SAGE Center, is one of the most unusual educational stops we’ve found on a family road trip.
Instead of simply reading signs about agriculture, kids can interact with exhibits exploring how farming, food processing, technology and energy work together in this part of Oregon. Current exhibits include hands-on activities such as a tractor simulator.
Our kids explored everything from agricultural equipment to the systems involved in producing and transporting food. If your family enjoys science museums and hands-on learning, this is one of the best stops between Portland and Spokane.
You can read more about our family’s visit to the SAGE Center here.
Best for: Hands-on learning, agriculture and STEM-loving kids
Plan for: About 1–1.5 hours
Detour: Whitman Mission National Historic Site near Walla Walla, Washington
If you have extra time and don’t mind making a longer detour, Whitman Mission National Historic Site is a worthwhile addition to a Portland to Spokane road trip.
This is the biggest detour on our list, so we wouldn’t recommend squeezing it into an already-packed driving day. For families interested in Oregon Trail and Pacific Northwest history (like we are), it can be well worth the extra time.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site preserves the location of the mission established by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman among the Cayuse people in 1836. The history here is complicated and tragic. We found this to be one of the most impactful NPS sites we’ve visited as a family.
The National Park Service tells the story not only of the Whitmans and Oregon Trail emigrants, but also of the Cayuse Nation. The Cayuse homeland was dramatically changed by missionaries, increasing numbers of American settlers and devastating epidemics. The mission and the events of 1847 became a turning point with long-lasting consequences for Native people throughout the Columbia Plateau.
We appreciate historic sites that give kids an opportunity to discover that history is more complicated than the simplified versions they sometimes hear. Start at the visitor center, where you’ll find museum exhibits and a park film. Then head outside to explore the grounds on self-guided paved trails.
Families can walk through the former mission site, see the Oregon Trail wagon ruts and climb Monument Hill for views across the Walla Walla Valley. Kids can also pick up a Junior Ranger activity book and work toward earning a Whitman Mission Junior Ranger badge.
Admission to Whitman Mission National Historic Site is free. Visitor center hours vary seasonally, although the park grounds have broader daily hours, so check the National Park Service website before making the detour.
Best for: Oregon Trail history, National Park families and Junior Rangers
Plan for: 1.5–2 hours, plus additional driving time for the detour
Tri-Cities road trip stops: Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Washington
By the time we reach the Tri-Cities region, everyone is usually ready for another break. Thankfully, Kennewick, Pasco and Richland have several family-friendly options.
Playground of Dreams in Kennewick
Our favorite quick stop in the Tri-Cities is the Toyota of Tri-Cities Playground of Dreams at Columbia Park. Our kids had a great time cooling off and letting their imaginations run wild here.
Columbia Park also has picnic areas, and the city operates a seasonal splash pad near the playground. A skate park is nearby as well. That combination makes this an especially good summer road trip stop when everyone has spent several hours sitting in a hot car.
Best for: A free outdoor break, active kids and summer travel
Plan for: 30–60 minutes
More things to do in the Tri-Cities
If you have more time, there are several other places worth considering:
- Gesa Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick: a beautifully restored historic carousel. Check current hours before visiting because its operating schedule varies by day.
- Country Mercantile: a fun option for snacks and local treats.
- REACH Museum in Richland: another educational stop for families interested in the natural and human history of the region.
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park: the Hanford Visitor Center in Richland is free, and kids can participate in the National Park Service Junior Ranger program.
Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington
You made it! If Spokane is your final destination and your kids somehow still have energy after the drive, Riverfront Park is a fantastic place to finish your Portland to Spokane road trip.
The park sits along the Spokane River in downtown Spokane and has plenty of room for kids to move after a long day in the car.
Families will especially want to check out the Ice Age Floods Playground. This 40,000-square-foot play area was inspired by the Ice Age floods that shaped the region and includes climbing structures, slides, a fossil-dig area and a seasonal splash pad.
It also makes a fun connection to the Ice Age Floods you may have learned about earlier in the day at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center!
Best for: Ending the trip with outdoor play and exploring downtown Spokane
Plan for: 1 hour or longer
How to choose the best Portland to Spokane road trip stops
You probably won’t want to make every stop on this list during the same drive. If we were planning the trip with kids, we’d choose stops based on what our family needed most that day.
For a quick outdoor break, choose Starvation Creek State Park, Sorosis Park or Playground of Dreams.
For a longer indoor break, WAAAM, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center or SAGE Center can give everyone a real change of scenery.
For hot summer days, an indoor museum or the splash pad near Playground of Dreams may be much more appealing than another hike.
And if you have younger children, we’d plan stops before everyone desperately needs one. That strategy has saved more than a few family road trips for us!
Portland to Spokane road trip FAQ
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Spokane?
The Portland to Spokane drive is roughly 350 miles. Driving estimates are around six hours without extended stops, although traffic, construction, weather and your exact starting and ending points can change the total.
With kids, meals and sightseeing stops, we’d plan for it to take most of the day.
What is the best route from Portland to Spokane?
A common route follows I-84 east through the Columbia River Gorge, continuing toward northeastern Oregon before connecting with I-82 and US-395 through the Tri-Cities region. From there, continue toward Spokane via I-90.
Always check current road conditions before leaving, particularly during winter weather or wildfire season.
What is a good halfway stop between Portland and Spokane?
The Tri-Cities region is one of the most useful larger stopping areas on the Portland to Spokane route, especially if you want restaurants, fuel and family attractions.
For our family, Playground of Dreams in Kennewick is an easy choice when the kids mainly need to run around.
What are the best Portland to Spokane road trip stops with kids?
For younger kids, we especially like Starvation Creek State Park, Sorosis Park, SAGE Center and Playground of Dreams.
For older children who enjoy history, science or transportation, WAAAM, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park are excellent options.
Is Maryhill Stonehenge on the Portland to Spokane route?
Maryhill Stonehenge requires a short detour from I-84 across the Columbia River into Washington, but it’s easy to combine with Maryhill Museum of Art.
Is Whitman Mission worth the detour between Portland and Spokane?
Whitman Mission National Historic Site is worth considering if your family enjoys history, National Park sites or Junior Ranger programs.
It’s a more significant detour than most of the stops on this list, so allow extra time. Once there, admission is free, and families can explore the visitor center, museum exhibits, paved walking trails, Oregon Trail history and the Junior Ranger program.
For families who want to turn the Portland to Spokane drive into a full day of sightseeing rather than simply getting from one city to another, Whitman Mission can be an especially worthwhile stop.
Make the drive part of the adventure
A Portland to Spokane road trip can be a long day with kids, but adding the right stops makes a huge difference. Instead of thinking of breaks as something that delays the trip, we’ve found that choosing one or two interesting places along the way makes the drive itself part of the family adventure.
Whether your kids want to scramble around a waterfall, climb on a playground, explore old airplanes or figure out how modern farms work, there’s something along this route for almost every kind of family.
©️ Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2026.
