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Create accountDrive Time
7h 41m
Distance
418.3 mi
673 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
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
Post Falls, ID
Daniil Komov
Connecting Caldwell to Post Falls, this 418.3-mile journey takes you across the Mountain West over approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes. Because of the duration, you can tackle this as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel, though it is a significant push. You will primarily navigate via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, US 395, and I-90. Budget roughly $64 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities reside in Idaho, the trip offers a consistent regional feel while traversing the state. It is a straightforward trek, but ensure you are prepared for the time commitment before heading out.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
209.2 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .
Expect a mixed drive that transitions across different road types, with highways accounting for about 38% of your total travel time. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, spending 215.6 miles on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The experience shifts from these expansive highway sections to the varied terrain of US 395 and I-90. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, though the length requires sustained focus. Be ready for the road to change its personality as you move between these primary routes.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 230.4 miles in near US 395.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 418.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 230.4 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Caldwell, ID and Post Falls, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.
Hermiston
Yakima
Pasco
Spokane
Finley
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 215.6 mi | 3h 49m |
| US 395 | 131.7 mi | 2h 23m |
| I 90 | 25.9 mi | 30m |
| McNary Highway | 20.4 mi | 21m |
| Umatilla-Stanfield Highway | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail Highway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| South Main Street | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Post Falls, 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 onto US 395
Continue on US 395
Continue on US 395
Continue on US 395
Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
Turn right onto US 395
Continue on US 395
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
Take the exit onto US 395
Merge onto I 82; US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
Continue on US 395
Continue on US 395
Take the exit onto US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Bus
Turn left onto West 10th Avenue
Arrive at destination
To manage the 418.3-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the 7-hour and 41-minute duration. Since the longest stretch spans over 215 miles, make sure you fuel up before hitting that initial leg on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway to avoid being caught low on gas in remote areas. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Post Falls before dark. Flexibility is key on this route, so monitor your energy levels closely and utilize those two stops to recharge. Keep your $64 fuel budget in mind, but always set aside a little extra for potential price fluctuations along the way.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 92 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 209.2 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Post Falls, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Caldwell, ID
This is one driving day of about 418.3 miles and 7h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 209.2 mi from Caldwell, ID · 3h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
209 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 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 209.2 miles from Caldwell, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 215.6 miles.
The final approach into Post Falls, 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 Post Falls, ID.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$66.29 one way
$132.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $69.68 | $139.36 |
| premium | $4.53 | $74.59 | $149.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $92.93 | $185.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.5 | 1 | $43.92 | $20.08 |
| Efficient EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.60 | $16.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 167.3 | 2 | $58.56 | $26.77 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
6:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Evening in Post Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:49 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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