Origin
Post Falls, ID
Morning in Post Falls on Friday
Local time
9:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Post Falls, ID to Lincoln, ID
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 7m
Distance
489.5 mi
788 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$78
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 59m
★
6 AM
8h 7m
8 AM
8h 24m
10 AM
8h 13m
12 PM
8h 11m
3 PM
8h 14m
5 PM
8h 23m
8 PM
8h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Post Falls, ID
Daniil Komov
Lincoln, ID
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
The drive from Post Falls, ID to Lincoln, ID covers 489.5 miles and takes about 8h 7m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 90, I 15, Lincoln Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 285.1 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $77.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
244.8 miles from Post Falls, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 8h 7m highway drive covering 489.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 15. The longest continuous stretch is about 285.1 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 285.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Spokane Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 489.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (North Spokane Street): Navigation decision point; at 286 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 484 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Spokane Street
Turn right onto North Spokane Street
Navigation decision point
5
286 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
6
484 mi into trip
|
~7h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Airport, Idaho Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 119
Toward US 20 East: Airport, Idaho Falls
5
484.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 57m in
|
Grandview Drive
Turn left onto Grandview Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
485.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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 Post Falls, ID to Lincoln, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Idaho Falls
286 mi in
|
~4h 50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 285.1 mi | 4h 47m |
| I 15 | 197.5 mi | 3h 5m |
| Lincoln Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Lincoln Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Anderson Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Rigby Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Spokane Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Science Center Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 285.1 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Post Falls, ID and Lincoln, ID.
1
Start on West 10th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West 10th Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Spokane Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Spokane Street
3
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
4
Merge onto I 90
285 mi
·
4 hr 47 min
·
I 90
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
6
Merge onto I 15
197 mi
·
3 hr 5 min
·
I 15
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 119
Toward US 20 East: Airport, Idaho Falls
8
Turn left onto Grandview Drive
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Grandview Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on Rigby Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Rigby Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Science Center Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork
398 ft
·
9 sec
12
Turn straight onto Science Center Drive
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Science Center Drive
13
Continue on East Anderson Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Anderson Avenue
14
Continue on Lincoln Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Lincoln Road
15
Enter roundabout onto East Lincoln Road
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Lincoln Road
16
Continue on East Lincoln Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lincoln Road
17
Enter roundabout onto North Ammon Road
266 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Ammon Road
18
Continue on North Ammon Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Ammon Road
19
Arrive at destination
North Ammon Road
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 244.8 miles from Post Falls, ID, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 285.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 244.8 miles or 4h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 244.8 miles or 4h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lincoln, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Post Falls, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Post Falls, ID
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lincoln, ID
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Post Falls, ID.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 285.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 244.8 mi from Post Falls, ID · 4h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
245 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Missoula, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
245 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Missoula, MT after about 245 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 244.8 miles from Post Falls, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 285.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 245 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Lincoln, ID
The final approach into Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, ID.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Lincoln, ID with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$77.57 one way
$155.14 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
171 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $81.31 | $162.61 |
| premium | $4.53 | $87.32 | $174.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $108.08 | $216.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 146.9 | 1 | $51.40 | $23.50 |
| Efficient EV | 122.4 | 1 | $42.83 | $19.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 195.8 | 2 | $68.53 | $31.33 |
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 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
Lincoln, ID
Morning in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
10:06 AM
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
8h 7m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Post Falls, ID to Lincoln, ID covers 489.5 miles and takes about 8h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 15, Lincoln Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 245 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 244.8 miles from Post Falls, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $77.57 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 489.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (North Spokane Street): Navigation decision point; at 286 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 484 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Post Falls, ID to Lincoln, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho 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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