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Trip from Caldwell, ID to Rathdrum, ID

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

422.5 mi

680 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 44m ★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m

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

city in and county seat of Canyon County, Idaho, United States

Caldwell, ID

Wikimedia Commons

city in Koostenai County, Idaho, United States

Rathdrum, ID

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Rathdrum, ID covers 422.5 miles and takes about 7h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, US 395, McNary 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 $66.95 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

211.2 miles from Caldwell, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 422.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Rathdrum, ID covers 422.5 miles and takes about 7h 52m, 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 35 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.

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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 422.5 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 23 key points

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

6
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...
6
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,...
7
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...
6
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
7
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 Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Caldwell, ID and Rathdrum, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane, Finley and Millwood.

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

Millwood

400.8 mi in | ~7h 20m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 215.6 mi 3h 49m
US 395 131.7 mi 2h 23m
McNary Highway 20.4 mi 21m
East Trent Avenue 12.1 mi 17m
I 90 9.3 mi 11m
West Highway 53 8.6 mi 12m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway 8.2 mi 9m
Lewis and Clark Trail 4.9 mi 6m
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 Rathdrum, ID.

1

Start on this road

90 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto I 84 Business

72 ft · 4 sec · Cleveland Boulevard
3

Turn right

141 ft · 12 sec
4

Turn right

150 ft · 12 sec
5

Turn right onto South 10th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 10th Avenue
6

Continue on North Illinois Avenue

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North Illinois Avenue
7

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
8

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.
9

Take the exit onto US 395

0.3 mi · 41 sec · US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield, Hermiston
10

Continue on US 395

1.2 mi · 1 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
11

Continue on US 395

2.0 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
12

Continue on US 395

3.2 mi · 3 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
13

Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 4th Street
14

Turn left onto East Theater Lane

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Theater Lane
15

Turn right onto US 395

0.5 mi · 38 sec · North 1st Street
16

Continue on US 395

3.8 mi · 4 min · Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
17

Turn left onto US 395; US 730

0.7 mi · 48 sec · Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 395
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
19

Merge onto I 82; US 395

20 mi · 21 min · McNary Highway
20

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
21

Continue on US 395

1.1 mi · 2 min · South US 395
22

Continue on US 395

4.9 mi · 6 min · Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

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.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 395
Toward US 395
25

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.
26

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

9.3 mi · 11 min · I 90; US 2; US 395
27

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward Millwood
28

Turn left onto North Mullan Road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Mullan Road
29

Continue on North Argonne Road

0.4 mi · 55 sec · North Argonne Road
30

Turn right onto WA 290

6.2 mi · 9 min · East Trent Avenue
31

Enter roundabout onto East Trent Avenue

83 ft · 1 sec · East Trent Avenue
32

Continue on East Trent Avenue

0.1 mi · 10 sec · East Trent Avenue
33

Keep slight right at fork onto East Trent Avenue

5.8 mi · 8 min · East Trent Avenue
34

Continue on ID 53

8.6 mi · 12 min · West Highway 53
35

Arrive at destination

ID 53

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211.2 miles from Caldwell, ID, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.6 miles.

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 93 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 211.2 miles or 3h 46m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rathdrum, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Caldwell, ID

This is one driving day of about 422.5 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Caldwell, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 211.2 mi from Caldwell, ID · 3h 46m into the drive

Downtown College Place, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

College Place, WA

211 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.

Pacing Suggestions

La Grande, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stanfield, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 211.2 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.

Arriving in Rathdrum, ID

The final approach into Rathdrum, 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 Rathdrum, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.95 one way

$133.90 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 148 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $70.18 $140.36
premium $4.53 $75.37 $150.74
diesel $5.61 $93.28 $186.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$67

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 147.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 126.8 1 $44.36 $20.28
Efficient EV 105.6 1 $36.97 $16.90
EV Truck/SUV 169 2 $59.15 $27.04

Gas CO2

148 kg

EV CO2

49 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Caldwell, ID

Late night in Caldwell on Friday

Local time

4:49 AM

MDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rathdrum, ID

Late night in Rathdrum on Friday

Local time

3:49 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

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.

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

17 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

7h 52m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Caldwell, ID to Rathdrum, ID covers 422.5 miles and takes about 7h 52m 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, McNary Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 211.2 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 $66.95 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 422.5 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.

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.

Between Caldwell, ID and Rathdrum, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane, Finley and Millwood.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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