Jeffrey's Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 5 am–2:30 pm
+12087469482
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 58m
Distance
534.1 mi
860 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Idaho Falls, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Lewiston Orchards, ID
Ritvars Garoza
Traveling from Idaho Falls to Lewiston Orchards spans 502.8 miles and requires roughly 9 hours and 29 minutes of time behind the wheel. Given the significant distance, you should plan for a two-day trip rather than attempting to power through in a single day. Budget approximately $80 for fuel to cover the journey across the Mountain West. You will navigate a variety of local roads including West Stone Run Lane, Stonebrook Lane, and South Boulevard throughout the route. Because this trek covers a substantial portion of Idaho, splitting the drive into two days ensures you arrive feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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
267.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 16m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 198.2 mi | 3h 6m |
| US 12 | 172.6 mi | 3h 54m |
| I 90 | 112.1 mi | 1h 46m |
| Lolo Creek Road | 32.6 mi | 39m |
| US Highway 93 South | 4 mi | 5m |
| Brooks Street | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Bitteroot Road | 3 mi | 3m |
| Thain Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Idaho Falls, ID and Lewiston Orchards, ID.
Start on Charleston Lane
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Turn left onto Stonebrook Lane
Continue on South Boulevard
Turn left onto East 17th Street
Continue on Pancheri Drive
Turn right onto South Utah Avenue
Enter roundabout onto South Utah Avenue
Continue on South Utah Avenue
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 20 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS; US 20
Merge onto I 15; US 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Turn right onto US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Turn right onto US 12
Continue on US 12; US 93
Continue on US 12; US 93
Turn right onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 12
Continue on 21st Street
Continue on Thain Road
Turn left onto Bryden Avenue
Turn left
Turn left
Arrive at destination
To manage the 9-hour and 29-minute duration effectively, aim to split your travel into two distinct legs with at least two planned stops. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $80, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer stretches to ensure you don't run low between refueling points. Leaving early in the morning allows you to tackle the first half of the route before traffic patterns shift. Use your two stops strategically to stretch your legs and reset, as local roads often require more active driving focus than traditional highways. A helpful tip is to map out your specific turns along West Stone Run Lane and Stonebrook Lane ahead of time to keep your momentum steady.
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.
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 118 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267.1 miles or 4h 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 267.1 miles or 4h 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewiston Orchards, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Idaho 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 Idaho Falls, ID
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lewiston Orchards, ID
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
176 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
353 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 Kamiah, IDNight 1
267 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Missoula, MT after about 267 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 267.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 267 miles or 5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Lewiston, Idaho
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 5 am–2:30 pm
+12087469482
Parker's Restaurant
Drummond, Montana
Applebee's Grill + Bar
Lewiston, Idaho
Near the end, right off the route
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 5 am–2:30 pm
+12087469482
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Drummond, Montana
Hours: 11:30 am–7 pm
+14062882333
Near the end, short detour
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+12087468000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12087468131
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 6:30 am–11 pm
+12087431212
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: 5 am–3 pm
+12085226212
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ammon, Idaho
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12087576263
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12087464919
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12085230603
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Idaho Falls, Idaho
+12086128552
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Lewiston, Idaho
Hours: 12–5 pm
+12088164679
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 314.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Stonebrook Lane
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto South Utah Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS; US 20 toward I15 North: Roberts, Butte
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 12 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$84.64 one way
$169.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $88.72 | $177.43 |
| premium | $4.53 | $95.28 | $190.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $117.92 | $235.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 160.2 | 1 | $56.08 | $25.64 |
| Efficient EV | 133.5 | 1 | $46.73 | $21.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 213.6 | 2 | $74.77 | $34.18 |
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
62 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Idaho Falls on Saturday
Local time
7:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Lewiston Orchards on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This journey is characterized by a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entirety of the 502.8-mile trip. Unlike a standard interstate cruise, the road's personality relies on steady, consistent navigation through diverse terrain. Expect a driving experience that focuses on local thoroughfares rather than high-speed highway stretches. Because you are not relying on major interstates, the pace remains measured and steady from start to finish. Staying attentive to your navigation is essential as you transition across these specific local road segments.
At 9h 58m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 24 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Stone Run Lane.
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 534.1 miles you will encounter 24 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 (West Stone Run Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Stonebrook Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (South Utah Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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