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Create accountDrive Time
5h 48m
Distance
267.5 mi
430 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
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.
Lewiston, ID
cottonbro studio
Boise, ID
Brett Sayles
Connecting Lewiston to Boise, this 267.5-mile journey is a direct trek across the Idaho landscape. You should plan for approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes of drive time, making it a manageable, albeit long, one-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $42, the route primarily utilizes US 95 and ID 55 to navigate through the Mountain West. Since the entire drive stays within Idaho, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines or changing time zones mid-trip. It is a straightforward corridor that works best as a single-day push for those comfortable with nearly six hours behind the wheel.
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
133.7 miles from Lewiston, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Expect a drive that is heavily highway-focused, with 72% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. The route kicks off with a significant 135-mile stretch on US 95, which serves as the backbone of your travel. As you transition from South 3rd Street onto ID 55, the character of the road shifts, offering a mix of highway speeds and regional road navigation. While the terrain is consistent with the Mountain West, the experience remains practical and focused on efficiency rather than leisurely cruising. You will spend most of your time maintaining a steady pace on these arterial highways.
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Total Climb
8,407 ft
Total Descent
6,449 ft
Highest Point
5,125 ft
~156 mi in
Elevation Range
4,384 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 95 and South 3rd Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Idaho Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 48m drive. You will face about 15 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 (Idaho Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (21st Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Idaho Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto 21st Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward US 95 South: Missoula, Boise
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto ID 44 / East State Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 95 | 135 mi | 2h 35m |
| South 3rd Street | 45.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| ID 55 | 31.1 mi | 46m |
| Highway 55 | 15 mi | 20m |
| US 12 | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| North Horseshoe Bend Road | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| Payette River Scenic Byway | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| East State Street | 5.4 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ID and Boise, ID.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Idaho Street
Turn right onto 19th Street
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto 21st Street
Continue on US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Continue on US 95
Turn right onto Johnston Road
Turn right onto US 95
Turn left onto ID 55
Turn right onto Boydstun Street
Continue on East Deinhard Lane
Turn right onto 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
Keep slight right at fork onto West State Street
Turn right onto North 6th Street
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To keep your energy high, aim to depart early in the morning so you can reach your destination before evening traffic intensifies. Although the route is doable in one go, scheduling at least one planned stop will help break up the nearly six-hour duration. Because the longest stretch covers 135 miles on US 95, be sure to check your fuel levels before starting that segment to avoid unnecessary stress. Since you only have one stop factored into the schedule, use it strategically to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. Staying flexible with your timing is a major advantage on this route, as it allows you to adjust for any unexpected road conditions along the way.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 39m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boise, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ID
This is one driving day of about 267.5 miles and 5h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.7 mi from Lewiston, ID · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 133.7 miles from Lewiston, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135 miles.
The final approach into Boise, 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 Boise, 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
$42.39 one way
$84.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $44.56 | $89.12 |
| premium | $4.53 | $47.70 | $95.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.43 | $118.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.09 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.45 | $17.12 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Afternoon in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
4:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Light Rain
Destination
Evening in Boise on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°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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