Origin
Meridian, ID
Evening in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
5:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meridian, ID to Ashton, ID
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
341 mi
549 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 43m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
5h 59m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridian, ID
Susanne Plank
Ashton, ID
Shots by Kevin
Trip Overview
The drive from Meridian, ID to Ashton, ID covers 341 miles and takes about 5h 33m 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, I 15 BUS for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 176.9 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.04 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
170.5 miles from Meridian, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Meridian, ID to Ashton, ID covers 341 miles and takes about 5h 33m, 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 17 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 176.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 341 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 84; US 30; ID 55 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 East, US 30 East, ID 55 East: Boise
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East, ID 55 East: Boise
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 84; US 30; ID 55 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 84; US 30; ID 55 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
241.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Idaho Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Idaho Falls
6
288.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
|
US 20
Take the exit onto US 20 toward US 20 East, I 15: Rigby, West Yellowstone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 119
Toward US 20 East, I 15: Rigby, West Yellowston...
Towns Along This Route
Between Meridian, ID and Ashton, ID, road signs point toward Idaho Falls and Yellowstone.
Idaho Falls
241.4 mi in
|
~3h 51m
Yellowstone
288.4 mi in
|
~4h 35m
|
via US 20
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 176.9 mi | 2h 48m |
| I 86 | 62.7 mi | 59m |
| I 15 BUS | 46.3 mi | 43m |
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | 31.7 mi | 34m |
| Yellowstone Highway | 17.2 mi | 18m |
| Rigby Highway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| North Meridian Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 176.9 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, ID and Ashton, ID.
1
Start on North Main Street
56 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Pine Avenue
528 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Pine Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Meridian Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Meridian Road
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East, ID 55 East: Boise
5
Merge onto I 84; US 30; ID 55
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30
172 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 86; US 30
63 mi
·
59 min
·
I 86; US 30
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Idaho Falls
9
Merge onto I 15 BUS
46 mi
·
43 min
·
I 15 BUS
10
Take the exit onto US 20
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 20
Exit 119
Toward US 20 East, I 15: Rigby, West Yellowstone
11
Continue on US 20
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Rigby Highway
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
13
Continue on US 20
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Yellowstone Highway
14
Continue on US 20
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
16
Turn straight onto ID-47
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
ID-47
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 170.5 miles from Meridian, ID, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.9 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 80 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.5 miles or 2h 44m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashton, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Meridian, 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 Meridian, ID
This is one driving day of about 341 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Meridian, 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 176.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 170.5 mi from Meridian, ID · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.5 miles from Meridian, 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 176.9 miles.
Arriving in Ashton, ID
The final approach into Ashton, 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 Ashton, 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
$54.04 one way
$108.07 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $56.80 | $113.60 |
| premium | $4.53 | $60.80 | $121.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $75.76 | $151.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.81 | $16.37 |
| Efficient EV | 85.3 | 0 | $29.84 | $13.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.4 | 1 | $47.74 | $21.82 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ashton, ID
Evening in Ashton on Sunday
Local time
5:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
36°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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
5h 33m 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 Meridian, ID to Ashton, ID covers 341 miles and takes about 5h 33m 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, I 15 BUS. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 170.5 miles from Meridian, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.04 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 341 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 84; US 30; ID 55 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Meridian, ID and Ashton, ID, road signs point toward Idaho Falls and Yellowstone.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Ashton, ID
Explore more options from Meridian, ID or browse trips ending in Ashton, ID.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ID road trips.
Explore maps for Meridian, ID or Ashton, ID on MapSof.net.