The drive from Saint Maries, ID to Twin Falls, ID covers 473.2 miles and takes about 9h 59m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 95, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, South 3rd Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 136.6 miles on US 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $75.25 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
236.6 miles from Saint Maries, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Saint Maries, ID to Twin Falls, ID covers 473.2 miles and takes about 9h 59m, 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 46 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 136.6 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 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 3rd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 473.2 miles you will encounter 22 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: near the start (South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ID 3 / College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 53 miles (ID 8 / State Highway 8): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South 3rd Street
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|ID 3 / College Avenue
Turn right onto ID 3 / College Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
53 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|ID 8 / State Highway 8
At end of road, turn left onto ID 8 / State Highway 8
Navigation decision point
5
336.9 mi into trip|~7h 35m in|ID 44 / East State Street
Turn left onto ID 44 / East State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
345 mi into trip|~7h 52m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 84 East
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 95
136.6 mi
2h 37m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
121.7 mi
1h 55m
South 3rd Street
45.7 mi
1h 1m
ID 55
31.1 mi
46m
Highway 3
20.2 mi
29m
State Highway 6
15.9 mi
24m
Highway 55
15 mi
20m
Highway 3 South
14.3 mi
25m
Longest stretch:
US 95
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Maries, ID and Twin Falls, ID.
1
Start on West Jefferson Avenue
49 ft·7 sec·West Jefferson Avenue
2
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
359 ft·19 sec·South 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto ID 3
0.1 mi·15 sec·College Avenue
4
Continue on ID 3
14 mi·25 min·Highway 3 South
5
Keep slight right at fork onto ID 6
8.2 mi·14 min·State Highway 6
6
Continue on ID-6
9.3 mi·16 min·ID-6
7
Continue on ID 6
7.7 mi·10 min·State Highway 6
8
Turn left onto ID 9
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 9
9
At end of road, turn left onto ID 8
0.2 mi·15 sec·State Highway 8
10
Continue on ID 8
0.6 mi·1 min·West 2nd Avenue
11
Turn right onto Wyoming Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Wyoming Street
12
Continue on ID 3
15 mi·20 min·Highway 3
13
Continue on ID 3
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
14
Continue on ID 3
2.9 mi·5 min·Highway 3
15
Continue on ID 3
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Continue on ID 3
2.4 mi·4 min·Highway 3
17
Continue on ID 3
6.3 mi·11 min·State Highway 3
18
Continue on ID 3
156 ft·8 sec·State Highway 3
19
Turn right onto US 12
4.7 mi·5 min·Arrow Bridge
20
Merge onto US 95
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 95
21
Turn right onto Johnston Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Johnston Road
22
Turn right onto US 95
76 mi·1 hr 26 min·US 95
23
Turn left onto ID 55
11 mi·16 min·ID 55
24
Turn right onto Boydstun Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Boydstun Street
25
Continue on East Deinhard Lane
1.6 mi·2 min·East Deinhard Lane
26
Turn right onto ID 55
46 mi·1 hr 1 min·South 3rd Street
27
Continue on ID 55
18 mi·25 min·ID 55
28
Continue on ID 55
13 mi·17 min·Highway 55
29
Continue on ID 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Horseshoe Bend Road
30
Continue on ID 55
2.0 mi·5 min·ID 55
31
Continue on ID 55
0.4 mi·29 sec·Horseshoe Bend Road
32
Continue on ID 55
2.4 mi·3 min·Highway 55
33
Continue on ID 55
5.9 mi·7 min·Payette River Scenic Byway
34
Continue on ID 55
8.9 mi·12 min·North Horseshoe Bend Road
35
Turn left onto ID 44
2.4 mi·3 min·East State Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Turn right onto ID 44
1.7 mi·3 min·North Glenwood Street
37
Turn left onto North Mountain View Drive
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Mountain View Drive
38
Turn right onto North Cole Road
2.6 mi·5 min·North Cole Road
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on South Cole Road
1.2 mi·2 min·South Cole Road
40
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 84 EastUse the left lane.
41
Merge onto I 84; US 30
122 mi·1 hr 55 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 93: Twin Falls, Sun Valley
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
44
Turn right onto US 93
5.3 mi·9 min·US 93
45
Turn slight right onto Shoshone Street East
150 ft·2 sec·Shoshone Street East
46
Arrive at destination
Shoshone Street East
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 236.6 miles from Saint Maries, ID, or about 5h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 104 miles or 2h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.6 miles or 5h 16m 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 236.6 miles or 5h 16m
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 8h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Twin Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Maries, 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 Saint Maries, ID
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Twin Falls, ID
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Saint Maries, 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 US 95 for about 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 236.6 mi from Saint Maries, ID
· 5h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 236.6 miles from Saint Maries, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 237 miles or 5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Twin Falls, ID
The final approach into Twin Falls, 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 Twin Falls, ID.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Twin Falls, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
During the Pliocene, this place looked quite different. Lush wetlands, forests, and grasslands provided excellent habitat for a variety of animals. From fascinating, now-extinct creatures like the sab...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 440.6
Caution: Use Caution with "Fossil Beds Information" Signs
Caution: If You Can't Reach Us By Phone, Please Email Us
Since time immemorial, the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people. Extremely resilient, they survived the settling of the...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 146.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142
1
$49.69
$22.71
Efficient EV
118.3
1
$41.40
$18.93
EV Truck/SUV
189.3
2
$66.25
$30.28
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
55 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Maries, ID
Late night
in Saint Maries on Saturday
Local time
1:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Twin Falls, ID
Late night
in Twin Falls on Saturday
Local time
2:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
20 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
9h 59m 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 Saint Maries, ID to Twin Falls, ID covers 473.2 miles and takes about 9h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 95, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, South 3rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 237 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 236.6 miles from Saint Maries, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.99 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 473.2 miles you will encounter 22 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: near the start (South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (ID 3 / College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 53 miles (ID 8 / State Highway 8): Navigation decision point.
The route from Saint Maries, ID to Twin Falls, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
