Origin
Lincoln, ID
Morning in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
8:57 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, ID to Caldwell, ID
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
309.9 mi
499 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, ID
cottonbro studio
Caldwell, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lincoln, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 309.9 miles and takes about 5h 5m 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, I 86, Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 192.4 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.11 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
154.9 miles from Lincoln, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 309.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 5m drive with frequent turns across 309.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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 192.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Lincoln Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Lincoln Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles (East Lincoln Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.2 miles (US 20): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Lincoln Road
Enter roundabout onto East Lincoln Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Lincoln Road
Enter roundabout onto East Lincoln Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 20
Take the exit onto US 20 toward I 15 South: Arco, Pocatello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 South: Arco, Pocatello
6
52 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 72
Toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls
7
307.7 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward US 20, US 26 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 20, US 26 East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lincoln, ID to Caldwell, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Twin Falls along the way.
Twin Falls
52 mi in
|
~54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 192.4 mi | 3h 6m |
| I 86 | 62.7 mi | 59m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 46.5 mi | 44m |
| East Lincoln Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| East Anderson Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Rigby Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Blaine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 21st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 192.4 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, ID and Caldwell, ID.
1
Start on North Ammon Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Ammon Road
2
Enter roundabout onto East Lincoln Road
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Lincoln Road
3
Continue on East Lincoln Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lincoln Road
4
Enter roundabout onto East Lincoln Road
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Lincoln Road
5
Continue on East Lincoln Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Lincoln Road
6
Continue on East Anderson Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Anderson Avenue
7
Continue on Science Center Drive
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Science Center Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 20
9
Merge onto US 20
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Rigby Highway
10
Merge onto US 20
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Grandview Drive
11
Take the exit onto US 20
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 20
Toward I 15 South: Arco, Pocatello
12
Merge onto I 15; US 20
47 mi
·
44 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 72
Toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls
14
Continue on I 86
63 mi
·
59 min
·
I 86
15
Continue on I 84; US 30
192 mi
·
3 hr 6 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 20, US 26 East
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Franklin Road
18
Continue on North 21st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 21st Avenue
19
Turn right onto I 84 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Blaine Street
20
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
166 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 10th Avenue
21
Turn left
68 ft
·
6 sec
22
Turn right
79 ft
·
5 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154.9 miles from Lincoln, ID, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.4 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 68 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.9 miles or 2h 32m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caldwell, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, ID
This is one driving day of about 309.9 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Lincoln, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 192.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.9 mi from Lincoln, ID · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.9 miles from Lincoln, 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 192.4 miles.
Arriving in Caldwell, ID
The final approach into Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, 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
$49.11 one way
$98.22 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $51.48 | $102.95 |
| premium | $4.53 | $55.28 | $110.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.42 | $136.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93 | 1 | $32.54 | $14.88 |
| Efficient EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.12 | $12.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124 | 1 | $43.39 | $19.83 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Caldwell, ID
Morning in Caldwell on Friday
Local time
8:57 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Kimberly, ID
155 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 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
5h 5m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lincoln, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 309.9 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, I 86, Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.9 miles from Lincoln, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Lincoln Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.1 miles (East Lincoln Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.2 miles (US 20): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lincoln, ID to Caldwell, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Twin Falls along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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