Origin
Preston, ID
Evening in Preston on Sunday
Local time
8:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Preston, ID to Pocatello, ID
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
67.8 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pocatello, ID
Tahir Xəlfə
Trip Overview
Connecting Preston to Pocatello is a straightforward 67.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes to complete. Since this is a relatively short trip within the Mountain West, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the drive, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. Navigating the route involves transitioning through North State Street, Veterans Memorial Highway, and South 5th Avenue. It serves as a practical, efficient link between these two Idaho locales, allowing for maximum flexibility in your travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Preston, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul. You will spend 100% of your time on highways, navigating a series of transitions that keep the drive engaging. The longest uninterrupted portion of the journey spans 33.7 miles along North State Street, providing a significant stretch of consistent travel. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, you will experience varied road conditions that require your full attention behind the wheel. Expect the pace to shift as you move from the initial segments into the final approach toward Pocatello.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North State Street is the longest continuous segment at about 33.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 34.2 miles in near I 15; US 91 / Veterans Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Preston, ID to Pocatello, ID is easy. At 1h 16m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 34.2 miles (I 15; US 91 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 64.4 miles (I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91 / South 5th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
34.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
I 15; US 91 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 15; US 91 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
64.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91 toward I 15 Business, US 30, US 91: 5th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67
Toward I 15 Business, US 30, US 91: 5th Avenue
4
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91 / South 5th Avenue
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91 / South 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
East Hayden Street
Turn right onto East Hayden Street
Navigation decision point
6
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
North 7th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North State Street | 33.7 mi | 41m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 30.2 mi | 28m |
| South 5th Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| US 91 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 15 BUS | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Hayden Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 7th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North State Street
— 33.7 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston, ID and Pocatello, ID.
1
Start on US 91; ID 36
34 mi
·
41 min
·
North State Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp onto US 91
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 91
3
Merge onto I 15; US 91
30 mi
·
28 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
4
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
Exit 67
Toward I 15 Business, US 30, US 91: 5th Avenue
5
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Turn right onto East Hayden Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Hayden Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto North 7th Avenue
135 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
8
Arrive at destination
North 7th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 16 minute duration, you have plenty of freedom to choose your departure time without worrying about fatigue. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily pace the trip to suit your own comfort level. Keep in mind that the local nature of the roads means you should remain alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns throughout the 67.8 miles. Since you only need to budget $11 for fuel, this route is an excellent candidate for a spontaneous departure. Focus on maintaining a steady speed during your 33.7-mile stretch on North State Street to ensure a smooth transition into the latter half of your drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.9 miles from Preston, ID, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.7 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 67.8 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pocatello, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Preston, 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 Preston, ID
This is one driving day of about 67.8 miles and 1h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Preston, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on North State Street for about 33.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Preston, ID · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Preston, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pocatello, ID
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.74 one way
$21.49 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $11.29 | $22.59 |
| premium | $4.53 | $12.09 | $24.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.06 | $30.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.12 | $3.25 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.93 | $2.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Pocatello, ID
Evening in Pocatello on Sunday
Local time
8:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°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
5 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
1h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Preston, ID to Pocatello, ID covers 67.8 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North State Street, Veterans Memorial Highway, South 5th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.9 miles from Preston, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Preston, ID to Pocatello, ID is easy. At 1h 16m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.2 miles (I 15; US 91 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 64.4 miles (I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91 / South 5th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Preston, ID to Pocatello, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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