Commute And Transit Shifts Shaping West Plains Prices

Your commute shapes your daily rhythm and your housing budget. On the West Plains, new bus service, road upgrades, and a surge of logistics jobs are changing what an “easy commute” looks like. If you live in or are considering Airway Heights, understanding these shifts can help you buy smarter or sell with confidence. In this guide, you will see what is changing, how it may affect prices, and practical moves you can make now. Let’s dive in.

West Plains at a glance

Airway Heights sits next to Spokane International Airport and the growing industrial corridor along Geiger Boulevard and Hayford Road. The area blends large employment sites with nearby residential neighborhoods and parks.

Commutes are relatively short for the region. The mean one-way commute time in Spokane County is roughly 22 to 23 minutes, and Airway Heights is similar at about 22.3 minutes, according to U.S. Census QuickFacts. See the county travel-time context.

Home values in Airway Heights generally sit in the mid 300s to low 400s based on recent snapshots, though medians vary by data source and month. For an updated snapshot, review the vendor’s methodology and date on the Airway Heights market report, then verify with local MLS sold data.

What is changing in transit and roads

STA service upgrades

Spokane Transit Authority has revised routes and frequencies serving Airway Heights and the West Plains, including more direct connections to the West Plains Transit Center and increases to 30-minute weekday frequencies on select service. Review the current changes on STA’s service revisions page.

STA also reported a major ridership recovery in 2024, signaling growing local transit use. Read the ridership milestone update from STA.

West Plains Transit Center improvements

The West Plains Transit Center at I‑90 Exit 272 functions as a park and ride and transfer hub for the corridor. Construction began June 25, 2025, to add a fifth bay and adjust curbs to support larger vehicles. Check current construction details and any temporary impacts on the WPTC project page.

6th Avenue Extension in Airway Heights

Airway Heights extended and redesigned 6th Avenue with sidewalks, a shared-use path, roundabouts, and six new bus stops. STA partnered on stops and 30-minute service on Route 65 along the corridor. This creates a safer, more direct alternative north of US‑2. See the full scope on the City of Airway Heights project page.

Geiger Boulevard and I‑90 corridor work

Spokane County and partners are widening and upgrading Geiger Boulevard with a center turn lane, shared-use path, and roundabouts at key interchanges to support employee and freight access at major job sites. Explore the improvements on the county’s Geiger Boulevard project page. WSDOT is also advancing I‑90 paving and interchange maintenance near West Plains exits, which helps keep freeway travel safe and predictable. Track the project listing on WSDOT.

Jobs are reshaping demand

Large logistics and industrial projects continue to cluster near the airport. Local reporting highlights ongoing industrial park proposals and expansions that aim to deliver hundreds of thousands to over a million square feet of space, with potential for several hundred to thousands of jobs over time. Read about a planned industrial park near the airport in the Spokane Journal of Business, and see an example of new Class A space at West Plains Logistics.

When jobs land close to housing, a share of workers choose nearby neighborhoods to shorten commutes. That can increase demand for rentals and owner-occupied homes within a 10 to 20 minute drive of major employers, especially when frequent transit and park and ride options are available.

How commute shifts influence prices

• Demand can rise near improved access. Frequent bus service, a more functional transit center, and smoother I‑90 connections reduce the perceived cost of living in Airway Heights. As access improves, buyers often value locations near reliable routes and park and ride options.
• Jobs pull households closer. New and expanding employers draw both renters and buyers who prefer short commutes. Supervisors and managers may target single-family homes nearby, while shift workers often seek rental options along bus routes.
• Effects are uneven by micro location. Properties next to heavy truck corridors may see more noise and traffic, which can hold back appreciation. Homes a modest distance away can benefit from access without the externalities.
• Supply can moderate gains. If new subdivisions or multifamily projects bring more homes to market, price pressure can ease. Watch local permits and project timelines for actual supply coming online.

Near term, you could see a lift in demand for homes near 6th Avenue stops or the West Plains Transit Center, and in neighborhoods that offer easy access without fronting freight corridors. Mid term, if the planned industrial footprint fills in, transit-proximate locations tend to hold relative value as commute options stabilize.

Buyer playbook: practical moves

• Prioritize access points. Map your daily trips to the West Plains Transit Center, Route 65 stops on 6th Avenue, and key I‑90 interchanges.
• Balance access with buffers. Target blocks that are close to transit or park and ride facilities but set back from heavy truck routes like Geiger Boulevard.
• Validate commute minutes. Combine a test drive with a trial bus trip during your typical shift window.
• Verify current medians. Use a recent market snapshot, then cross-check with MLS sold data before writing an offer.

Seller playbook: highlight access, reduce friction

• Lead with commute benefits. Showcase proximity to new bus stops, the transit center, and reliable I‑90 access in your listing copy and showing materials.
• Reduce externalities. If your property is near freight routes, emphasize interior sound mitigation and outdoor spaces away from street frontage.
• Time your launch. Align your market debut with service changes or project milestones that improve local convenience.
• Provide context. Include a one-sheet with links to the 6th Avenue project and STA service revisions so buyers see the full access story.

Micro locations: where access helps most

• Transit-proximate pockets. Homes within an easy walk of the new 6th Avenue stops and frequent-service corridors tend to see steady interest as riders grow. Reference the 6th Avenue project and STA service updates.
• Park and ride adjacency. Proximity to the West Plains Transit Center can be a plus for commuters who split driving and transit. Check the latest WPTC construction notice for current capacity and boarding details.
• Freight corridor edges. Parcels directly on major truck routes may experience more noise and traffic. A street or two of separation can make a meaningful difference while preserving access.

What to watch in the next 12 to 24 months

• STA schedule stability and frequency on West Plains routes, including continuing 30-minute service. Track updates on STA’s service revisions.
• Completion and operations at the West Plains Transit Center and rider growth trends. See the ridership milestone for context.
• Delivery and leasing at key industrial projects and any new employer announcements in the airport and Geiger corridors. Review coverage like the Spokane Journal of Business report.
• Geiger Boulevard and I‑90 construction milestones that improve travel-time reliability. Follow the Geiger project page and the WSDOT project listing.

If you want a clear plan tailored to your move, reach out. Our team pairs local market intelligence with careful presentation and negotiation so you can act with confidence. Start the conversation with Patricia O’Callaghan/SpokaneREAL.

FAQs

How do STA’s service changes affect Airway Heights commutes?

• STA increased frequency and simplified connections on West Plains routes, and it is upgrading the West Plains Transit Center, which together make transit a more reliable option for work trips and transfers; review the latest details on STA’s service revisions page.

Are West Plains logistics jobs likely to support long-term housing demand?

• Large industrial and logistics sites near the airport are expected to create sustained employment, which tends to support demand for nearby rentals and owner-occupied homes, as reported by the Spokane Journal of Business and illustrated by projects like West Plains Logistics.

Will living near freight corridors affect resale value in Airway Heights?

• Properties directly on major truck routes can face noise and traffic that may limit appreciation, while homes a short distance away can benefit from improved job access without the heaviest impacts; see the county’s Geiger Boulevard project summary for planned freight and multimodal elements.

What is the current median home price in Airway Heights?

• Recent snapshots show medians generally in the mid 300s to low 400s, with month-to-month swings by vendor and method; check the latest on the Airway Heights market report and confirm with MLS sold data before pricing or offering.