Dalton Gardens to Meridian is 446.3 miles and takes about 8h 14m via Old Oregon Trail Highway and I 90, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Idaho, connecting the Mountain West regions of both your starting and ending points. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. With two recommended overnight stops, you can break up the 446.3 miles into manageable segments. Plan for a straightforward drive that requires minimal navigation changes.
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
223.2 miles from Dalton Gardens, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Old Oregon Trail Highway
215.2 mi
3h 48m
I 90
90.2 mi
1h 39m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
73.7 mi
1h 19m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
23.7 mi
26m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
16.3 mi
18m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Lewis and Clark Trail
5.7 mi
7m
North Main Street
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Old Oregon Trail Highway
— 215.2 mi, about 3h 48m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 118 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,394
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dalton Gardens, ID and Meridian, ID.
1
Start on East Hanley Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Hanley Avenue
2
Enter roundabout onto East Hanley Avenue
97 ft·2 sec·East Hanley Avenue
3
Continue on East Hanley Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Hanley Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 95
2.1 mi·3 min·US 95
5
Take the exit onto I 90
34 mi·39 min·I 90
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
Toward Ritzville, Pasco
8
Take the exit onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pendleton
9
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
1.9 mi·2 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.8 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport
11
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·North US 395
12
Continue on US 395
24 mi·26 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
13
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
171 ft·10 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
15
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
0.8 mi·57 sec·Columbia River Highway
16
Turn right onto US 395
3.8 mi·4 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
17
Continue on US 395
0.5 mi·44 sec·North 1st Street
18
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
0.3 mi·40 sec·East Theater Lane
19
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Northeast 4th Street
20
Turn left onto US 395
3.2 mi·3 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
21
Continue on US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on US 395
1.4 mi·1 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 395
0.5 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield
24
Merge onto I 84; US 30; US 395
215 mi·3 hr 48 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
0.7 mi·47 sec·Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
26
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
16 mi·18 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Exit 44Toward ID 69 South: Meridian, KunaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
409 ft·12 sec
Toward State Police, Idaho Peace Officers MemorialUse the left lane.
29
Turn left onto ID 69
0.2 mi·30 sec·South Meridian Road
30
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
31
Continue on North Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 14m estimated drive time, splitting this trip into two days is a practical approach. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover a significant portion, perhaps around 200 miles, before finding a place to rest. This allows you to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer surface road segments where stations may be further apart. The fuel cost estimate of $79 is based on current averages, so it's wise to factor that into your budget. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in choosing where to break up the drive.
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 223.2 miles from Dalton Gardens, ID, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.2 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 98 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 223.2 miles or 4h 14m 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 223.2 miles or 4h 14m
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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dalton Gardens, 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 Dalton Gardens, ID
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Meridian, ID
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Dalton Gardens, 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 Old Oregon Trail Highway for about 215.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 93.4 and 444.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
93.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway toward Ritzville, Pasco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Ritzville, Pasco
6
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia B...
7
198.3 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermisto...
8
444.6 mi into trip|~8h 10m in
Take the exit toward ID 69 South: Meridian, Kuna
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.
Exit 44
Toward ID 69 South: Meridian, Kuna
8
444.9 mi into trip|~8h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward State Police, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward State Police, Idaho Peace Officers Memor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.56 one way
$139.13 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$73.32
$146.65
premium
$4.47
$78.61
$157.22
diesel
$4.80
$84.27
$168.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 156.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
133.9
1
$46.86
$21.42
Efficient EV
111.6
1
$39.05
$17.85
EV Truck/SUV
178.5
2
$62.48
$28.56
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Dalton Gardens, ID
Late night
in Dalton Gardens on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
100°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 3 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:39PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:23PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
Destination
Meridian, ID
Late night
in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 7 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:39PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:23PM MDT by NWS Boise ID
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
36 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 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 21% on highways. You'll encounter a significant 215.2-mile stretch on Old Oregon Trail Highway before merging onto the interstate. Expect a good amount of rural cruising and navigating through towns as you cover the majority of the distance on non-highway routes. The transition from surface roads to I 90 will offer a change in driving pace.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.2 mi on Old Oregon Trail Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.4 miles in near US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway.
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 19 significant decision points across 446.3 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 93.4 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.5 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.3 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,724 ft544 ft
Total Climb
4,306 ft
Total Descent
3,960 ft
Highest Point
3,724 ft
~255.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,180 ft
Notable High Points
3,724 ft at ~255.1 miles+990 ft prominence
3,371 ft at ~318.8 miles+636 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dalton Gardens, ID and Meridian, ID, road signs point toward Ritzville, Pasco, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport and Hermiston - among others.
The longest stretch is about 215.2 miles on Old Oregon Trail Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 223 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 37 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Meridian, 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. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 93.4 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.5 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.3 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Meridian, ID before the return drive.
