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Create accountDrive Time
5h 8m
Distance
258.1 mi
415 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Liliana Drew
The drive from Caldwell, ID to Lapwai, ID covers 258.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Norris Avenue, US 95, East Central Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.4 miles on North Norris Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
129.1 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 8m drive with frequent turns across 258.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,985 ft
Total Descent
2,822 ft
Highest Point
4,135 ft
~118.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,421 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 8m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Fruitland, Payette
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto Agency Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Caldwell, ID to Lapwai, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Payette along the way.
Payette
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Norris Avenue | 76.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| US 95 | 55 mi | 1h 3m |
| East Central Boulevard | 46.6 mi | 1h |
| South 16th Street | 35.9 mi | 44m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 28.4 mi | 27m |
| Railroad Street | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Johnston Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| North Whitley Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Lapwai, ID.
Start on this road
Turn left onto I 84 Business
Turn right
Turn right
Turn right onto South 10th Avenue
Continue on North Illinois Avenue
Take the ramp onto I 84, US 20, US 26, US 30
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Turn left onto US 95
Turn slight right onto US 95
Continue on US 95
Take the exit onto US 95
Merge onto US 95
Turn left onto US 95
Turn left onto Johnston Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
Turn left onto Agency Street
At end of road, turn right onto Agency Street
Continue on Main Street South
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.1 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lapwai, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Caldwell, ID 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 Caldwell, ID
This is one driving day of about 258.1 miles and 5h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.1 mi from Caldwell, ID · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 129.1 miles from Caldwell, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Norris Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 miles.
The final approach into Lapwai, ID usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lapwai, ID.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$40.90 one way
$81.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $42.99 | $85.99 |
| premium | $4.53 | $46.02 | $92.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.34 | $114.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.4 | 0 | $27.10 | $12.39 |
| Efficient EV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.58 | $10.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.2 | 1 | $36.13 | $16.52 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Caldwell on Sunday
Local time
6:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Evening in Lapwai on Sunday
Local time
5:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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