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Create accountDrive Time
5h 40m
Distance
313 mi
504 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
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.
Cascade, ID
Engin Akyurt
Pocatello, ID
Tahir Xəlfə
Spanning 313 miles across the heart of the Mountain West, this journey from Cascade to Pocatello typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete it without an overnight stay, though you should budget approximately $50 for fuel. You will navigate a mix of routes including ID 55, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, and I-86. This drive serves as a practical connection between two distinct Idaho locales, offering a straightforward path for those crossing the state. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, the route provides a clear, efficient transit across the region.
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
156.5 miles from Cascade, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
This 313-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local highways with faster interstate travel. With a highway share of 31%, you will experience a transition from regional roads to the more consistent pace of the interstate. Prepare for a significant amount of time on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for the longest single stretch of 170.7 miles. The character of the road shifts as you move between these thoroughfares, requiring you to stay alert through varying speed limits and traffic patterns. Expect a functional drive that trades technical mountain turns for steady, long-distance cruising.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,141 ft
Total Descent
2,635 ft
Highest Point
4,760 ft
Elevation Range
2,066 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 70 miles in near ID 44 / East State Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 40m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 70 miles (ID 44 / East State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.2 miles (North Cole Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto ID 44 / East State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Cole Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 84 East
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30 toward US 30: West Pocatello
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 170.7 mi | 2h 41m |
| I 86 | 58.3 mi | 54m |
| ID 55 | 20.5 mi | 30m |
| North Main Street | 17.9 mi | 24m |
| Highway 55 | 15 mi | 20m |
| North Horseshoe Bend Road | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Payette River Scenic Byway | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| US 30 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cascade, ID and Pocatello, ID.
Start on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Continue on ID 55
Turn left onto ID 44
Turn right onto ID 44
Turn left onto North Mountain View Drive
Turn right onto North Cole Road
Continue on South Cole Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 84; US 30
Continue on I 86; US 30
Take the exit onto US 30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
Turn left onto US 30
Continue on Gould Street
Turn right onto I 15 BUS; US 91
Turn left onto North 7th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since you have a 5 hour and 40 minute drive ahead, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Aim to depart early in the day to maximize your daylight hours, especially given the length of the 170.7-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Keep your fuel budget of $50 in mind as you plan your stops, as availability can change once you transition onto the interstate portion of the trip. Because this is a one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions. As a practical tip, ensure you have your route mapped out before leaving Cascade, as the transition between ID 55 and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway requires careful attention to signage.
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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.5 miles or 3h 8m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pocatello, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cascade, 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 Cascade, ID
This is one driving day of about 313 miles and 5h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.5 mi from Cascade, ID · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 156.5 miles from Cascade, 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 170.7 miles.
The final approach into Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, 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
$49.60 one way
$99.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $52.14 | $104.28 |
| premium | $4.53 | $55.81 | $111.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.54 | $139.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.86 | $15.02 |
| Efficient EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.39 | $12.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.82 | $20.03 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Cascade on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Pocatello on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Along the Route
40°F
Garden City, ID
157 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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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