Trip from Caldwell, ID to Priest River, ID

Drive Time

8h 35m

Distance

448.4 mi

722 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$71

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 28m ★

6 AM

8h 35m

8 AM

8h 51m

10 AM

8h 41m

12 PM

8h 39m

3 PM

8h 42m

5 PM

8h 50m

8 PM

8h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Caldwell, ID

Liliana Drew

Priest River, ID

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Priest River, ID covers 448.4 miles and takes about 8h 35m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, US 395, North Newport Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 215.6 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $71.06 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

224.2 miles from Caldwell, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Priest River, ID covers 448.4 miles and takes about 8h 35m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 215.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

4,007 ft 2,376 ft

Total Climb

1,631 ft

Total Descent

1,093 ft

Highest Point

4,007 ft

~93.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,631 ft

Notable High Points

4,007 ft at ~93.4 miles +1,093 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 448.4 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 28 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

230.4 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | US 395

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

Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yaki...

251 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in | US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway

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

Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...

260.3 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in | US 395

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...

260.5 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in | US 395

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 395

260.7 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in | US 395

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 395 North: Spokane

Towns Along This Route

Between Caldwell, ID and Priest River, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane, Finley and Newport.

Hermiston

216.7 mi in | ~3h 52m | via US 395

Yakima

230.4 mi in | ~4h 10m | via US 395

Pasco

251 mi in | ~4h 32m | via US 395

Spokane

251 mi in | ~4h 32m | via US 395

Finley

260.3 mi in | ~4h 46m | via US 395

Newport

394.3 mi in | ~7h 12m | via US 2; US 395

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway	215.6 mi	3h 49m
US 395	131.7 mi	2h 23m
North Newport Highway	41 mi	55m
McNary Highway	20.4 mi	21m
US 2	12.2 mi	24m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway	8.2 mi	9m
Lewis and Clark Trail	4.9 mi	6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway	3.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway — 215.6 mi, about 3h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Priest River, ID.

Start on this road

90 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn left onto I 84 Business

72 ft · 4 sec · Cleveland Boulevard

Turn right

141 ft · 12 sec

Turn right

150 ft · 12 sec

Turn right onto South 10th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 10th Avenue

Continue on North Illinois Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North Illinois Avenue

Take the ramp onto I 84, US 20, US 26, US 30

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 84, US 20, US 26, US 30

Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30

216 mi · 3 hr 49 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 395

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 395

Toward US 395 North: Stanfield, Hermiston

Continue on US 395

1.2 mi · 1 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway

Continue on US 395

2.0 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 395

3.2 mi · 3 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway

Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 4th Street

Turn left onto East Theater Lane

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Theater Lane

Turn right onto US 395

0.5 mi · 38 sec · North 1st Street

Continue on US 395

3.8 mi · 4 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway

Turn left onto US 395; US 730

0.7 mi · 48 sec · Columbia River Highway

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 395

Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima

Merge onto I 82; US 395

20 mi · 21 min · McNary Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway

Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane

Continue on US 395

1.1 mi · 2 min · South US 395

Continue on US 395

4.9 mi · 6 min · Lewis and Clark Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 395

Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 395

Toward US 395

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

131 mi · 2 hr 20 min · US 395

Toward US 395 North: Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 90; US 2; US 395

Take the exit onto US 2; US 395

0.2 mi · 32 sec · US 2; US 395

Toward US 395 North, US 2 East: Colville, Newport

Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 395

6.1 mi · 14 min · US 2; US 395

Keep slight right at fork onto US 2

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Newport Highway

Continue on US 2

212 ft · 13 sec · North Newport Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 2

161 ft · 9 sec · North Newport Highway

Continue on US 2

39 mi · 51 min · North Newport Highway

Turn slight right onto South Union Avenue

251 ft · 17 sec · South Union Avenue

Turn left onto West 4th Street

0.1 mi · 38 sec · West 4th Street

Turn left onto ID 41

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South State Avenue

Turn right onto US 2

5.8 mi · 9 min · US 2

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto ID 57

488 ft · 13 sec · State Highway 57

Turn right onto East Jackson Avenue

0.1 mi · 29 sec · East Jackson Avenue

Turn right onto 7th Street

288 ft · 12 sec · 7th Street

Continue on Summit Boulevard

386 ft · 17 sec · Summit Boulevard

Arrive at destination

Summit Boulevard

Trip Plan

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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 224.2 miles from Caldwell, ID, or about 4h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 99 miles or 1h 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 224.2 miles or 4h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 224.2 miles or 4h 2m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Priest River, ID than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Caldwell, ID

Aim for roughly 224 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Priest River, ID

Aim for roughly 224 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Caldwell, ID.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 215.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 224.2 mi from Caldwell, ID · 4h 2m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Hermiston, OR

224 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Hermiston, OR

Overnight Options

Night 1

Hermiston, OR

224 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Hermiston, OR after about 224 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

La Grande, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 99 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hermiston, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 224.2 miles from Caldwell, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 215.6 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 224 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.

Arriving in Priest River, ID

The final approach into Priest River, 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 Priest River, ID.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Priest River, ID with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$71.06 one way

$142.11 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 157 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.23	$74.69	$149.38
premium	$4.53	$79.95	$159.91
diesel	$5.64	$99.62	$199.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$71

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$201–$311

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 156.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	134.5	1	$47.08	$21.52
Efficient EV	112.1	1	$39.23	$17.94
EV Truck/SUV	179.4	2	$62.78	$28.70

Gas CO2

157 kg

EV CO2

52 kg (67% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 15 hours ago

Origin

Caldwell, ID

Evening in Caldwell on Sunday

Local time

6:52 PM

MDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Priest River, ID

Evening in Priest River on Sunday

Local time

5:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

42°F

Patchy Fog

E 1 mph 18% chance Live forecast

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

8h 35m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Priest River, ID covers 448.4 miles and takes about 8h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, US 395, North Newport Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 224 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 224.2 miles from Caldwell, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $71.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Caldwell, ID and Priest River, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane, Finley and Newport.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 2,376 ft to 4,007 ft elevation with about 1,631 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Priest River, ID to Caldwell, ID

Plan the drive back the other way.

451.8 mi 8h 34m

Explore more options from Caldwell, ID or browse trips ending in Priest River, ID.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ID road trips.

Explore maps for Caldwell, ID or Priest River, ID on MapSof.net.

Trip from Caldwell, ID to Priest River, ID

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Priest River, ID

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Caldwell, ID

Priest River, ID

1 hour earlier

3 degrees warmer at arrival

8h 35m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Priest River, ID

More from Caldwell, ID

More trips to Priest River, ID