Connecting Caldwell to Post Falls, this 418.3-mile journey takes you across the Mountain West over approximately 7 hours and 41 minutes. Because of the duration, you can tackle this as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel, though it is a significant push. You will primarily navigate via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, US 395, and I-90. Budget roughly $64 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both cities reside in Idaho, the trip offers a consistent regional feel while traversing the state. It is a straightforward trek, but ensure you are prepared for the time commitment before heading out.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
209.2 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
215.6 mi
3h 49m
US 395
131.7 mi
2h 23m
I 90
25.9 mi
30m
McNary Highway
20.4 mi
21m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8.2 mi
9m
Lewis and Clark Trail
4.9 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
South Main Street
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 215.6 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Post Falls, ID.
1
Start on this road
90 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto I 84 Business
72 ft·4 sec·Cleveland Boulevard
3
Turn right
141 ft·12 sec
4
Turn right
150 ft·12 sec
5
Turn right onto South 10th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·South 10th Avenue
6
Continue on North Illinois Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Illinois Avenue
7
Take the ramp onto I 84, US 20, US 26, US 30
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 84, US 20, US 26, US 30
8
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
216 mi·3 hr 49 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 395
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield, Hermiston
10
Continue on US 395
1.2 mi·1 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
11
Continue on US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
12
Continue on US 395
3.2 mi·3 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
13
Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 4th Street
14
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Theater Lane
15
Turn right onto US 395
0.5 mi·38 sec·North 1st Street
16
Continue on US 395
3.8 mi·4 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
17
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
0.7 mi·48 sec·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 395
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
19
Merge onto I 82; US 395
20 mi·21 min·McNary Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
21
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
22
Continue on US 395
4.9 mi·6 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, FinleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 395
Toward US 395
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
131 mi·2 hr 20 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
26 mi·30 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
27
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business
28
Turn left onto I 90 Bus
0.4 mi·1 min·North Spokane Street
29
Turn left onto West 10th Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·West 10th Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
West 10th Avenue
Trip Plan
To manage the 418.3-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the 7-hour and 41-minute duration. Since the longest stretch spans over 215 miles, make sure you fuel up before hitting that initial leg on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway to avoid being caught low on gas in remote areas. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Post Falls before dark. Flexibility is key on this route, so monitor your energy levels closely and utilize those two stops to recharge. Keep your $64 fuel budget in mind, but always set aside a little extra for potential price fluctuations along the way.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 209.2 miles from Caldwell, ID, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.6 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 92 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 209.2 miles or 3h 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 6h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Post Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Caldwell, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Caldwell, ID
This is one driving day of about 418.3 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Caldwell, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 215.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 230.4 and 260.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
230.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yaki...
6
251 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
7
260.3 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...
6
260.5 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 395
7
260.7 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 395 North: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.29 one way
$132.57 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$69.48
$138.96
premium
$4.53
$74.62
$149.24
diesel
$5.61
$92.36
$184.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
125.5
1
$43.92
$20.08
Efficient EV
104.6
1
$36.60
$16.73
EV Truck/SUV
167.3
2
$58.56
$26.77
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Caldwell, ID
Evening
in Caldwell on Saturday
Local time
7:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
SE 5 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Post Falls, ID
Evening
in Post Falls on Saturday
Local time
6:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
7h 41m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive that transitions across different road types, with highways accounting for about 38% of your total travel time. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, spending 215.6 miles on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The experience shifts from these expansive highway sections to the varied terrain of US 395 and I-90. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, though the length requires sustained focus. Be ready for the road to change its personality as you move between these primary routes.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.6 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 230.4 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 418.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 230.4 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Caldwell, ID and Post Falls, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.
Hermiston
216.7 mi in|~3h 52m|via US 395
Yakima
230.4 mi in|~4h 10m|via US 395
Pasco
251 mi in|~4h 32m|via US 395
Spokane
251 mi in|~4h 32m|via US 395
Finley
260.3 mi in|~4h 46m|via US 395
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 418.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 215.6 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Post Falls, ID before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ID can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 230.4 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.3 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Post Falls, ID before the return drive.
