Embarking on the 1,137-mile journey from Kamiah, Idaho, to San Diego, California, is a significant undertaking that transitions you from the rugged Mountain West to the sunny Pacific Coast. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 21 hours and 48 minutes, making a single-day trip impossible for most drivers. We strongly recommend splitting this route over three days to ensure you remain alert and comfortable behind the wheel. Budgeting around $174 for fuel is a smart way to manage your expenses for this long-distance trek. By breaking the drive into manageable segments, you can better navigate the transition between these two distinct geographic regions.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
6 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
568.5 miles from Kamiah, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 10h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 95
363.9 mi
6h 45m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
156.9 mi
3h 2m
Veterans Memorial Highway
109.2 mi
2h 6m
Blue Star Memorial Highway
103.3 mi
2h 3m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
94.9 mi
1h 30m
Virginia Street
46.6 mi
1h
Superior Street
44.4 mi
54m
I 215 Truck
36.7 mi
41m
Longest stretch:
US 95
— 363.9 mi, about 6h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kamiah, ID and San Diego, CA.
1
Start on Hill Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Hill Street
2
Turn right onto US 12
7.6 mi·10 min·3rd Street
3
Turn right onto ID 13
26 mi·29 min·ID 13
4
Turn left onto US 95
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 95
5
Take the exit onto US 95
47 mi·1 hr·Virginia Street
6
Turn left onto US 95
44 mi·54 min·Superior Street
7
Turn left onto US 95
2.1 mi·3 min·South Main Street
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
9
Continue on US 30
0.5 mi·47 sec·Northwest 16th Street
10
Continue on US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·East Idaho Avenue
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·37 sec
12
Merge onto I 84
3.8 mi·3 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 95: Payette, Parma
14
Turn right onto US 95
15 mi·17 min·US 95
15
Turn left onto US 95
19 mi·21 min·US 95
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 95
217 mi·3 hr 58 min·US 95
17
Turn left onto NV 795
0.7 mi·1 min·Reinhart Lane
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on NV 795
0.6 mi·57 sec·Rhinehart Lane
19
Turn right onto NV 289
0.9 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·25 sec
Toward I 80: Lovelock, Reno
21
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 30 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Take the exit onto US 95
34 mi·38 min·US 95
Exit 83Toward US 95: Fallon, Las Vegas
23
Turn right onto Wildes Road
148 ft·7 sec·Wildes Road
24
Turn left onto US 95
70 mi·1 hr 23 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
25
Turn left onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
24 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
27
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
28
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
29
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
30
Continue on US 95
8.0 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
31
Turn right onto NV 360
23 mi·26 min·Mina–Basalt Cutoff Road
32
Continue on US 6
17 mi·18 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
33
Keep slight right at fork onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
35 mi·41 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Main Street
35
At end of road, turn left onto US 395; US 6 Hist
3.3 mi·6 min·North Main Street
36
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
5.0 mi·5 min·El Camino Sierra
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 395; CA 168; US 6 Hist
7.4 mi·8 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
38
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Main Street
39
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
26 mi·31 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·North Edwards Street
41
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
15 mi·17 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
2.2 mi·4 min·North Main Street
43
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
44
Continue on US 395; US 6 Hist
7.0 mi·8 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
30 mi·34 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Toward US 395 South: San BernardinoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·Red Mountain Road
47
Continue on US 395
67 mi·1 hr 20 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
48
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los AngelesUse the straight lane.
49
Merge onto I 15; US 66 Hist
3.4 mi·3 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist; US 91 Hist; US 395 Hist
5.6 mi·6 min·CHP Officer Larry L. Wetterling and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Lieutenant Alfred E. Stewart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 15; US 66 Hist
6.3 mi·6 min·Barstow and Mojave Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Continue on I 215
0.2 mi·13 sec·Barstow Freeway
Exit 123
53
Keep slight left at fork onto I 215
9.3 mi·10 min·Barstow Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on I 215
5.6 mi·6 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on I 215
5.3 mi·6 min·Riverside Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Take the exit onto I 215
5.1 mi·5 min·I 215
Toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, IndioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
0.5 mi·33 sec·I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
Toward I 215, CA 60 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 215 Truck
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
59
Continue on I 15
22 mi·23 min·Avocado Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Continue on I 15
3.4 mi·3 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15
8.7 mi·10 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
62
Continue on I 15
4.5 mi·5 min·Tony Gwynn Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Continue on I 15
3.1 mi·3 min·Escondido Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Continue on I 15
2.2 mi·2 min·Semper Fi Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Take the exit
0.7 mi·51 sec
Exit 12Toward CA 163 SouthUse the slight right lane.
66
Continue on CA 163
8.2 mi·9 min·Cabrillo Freeway
Toward CA 163Use the straight / slight right lanes.
67
Continue on CA 163
1.5 mi·1 min·Cabrillo Parkway
68
Continue on CA 163
0.8 mi·1 min·Cabrillo Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
69
Continue on CA 163
0.3 mi·41 sec·10th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
70
Turn right onto Broadway
0.5 mi·1 min·Broadway
71
Turn left onto Front Street
26 ft·0 sec·Front Street
Use the left lane.
72
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
Pacing is the most critical element of your success on this 21-hour and 48-minute excursion. With six planned stops along the way, use these intervals to stretch and refuel systematically rather than pushing through fatigue. We suggest leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since local road navigation can be more challenging in the dark. Given the $174 fuel estimate, try to fill up in larger towns where competition might help you stick to your budget. As a specific tip, verify your turn-by-turn directions for the segments involving 3rd, Virginia, and Superior Streets before departing each morning to avoid confusion in unfamiliar municipalities.
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 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 568.5 miles from Kamiah, ID, or about 10h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 363.9 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 220 miles or 4h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 568.5 miles or 10h 37m 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 379 miles or 7h 21m
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 20h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Diego, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kamiah, 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 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kamiah, ID
Aim for roughly 379 miles and 7.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 379 miles and 7.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into San Diego, CA
Aim for roughly 379 miles and 7.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Kamiah, ID.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 6 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 95 for about 363.9 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 905.5 and 1124.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
905.5 mi into trip|~17h 18m in|US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway toward US 395 South: San Bernardino
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 395 South: San Bernardino
7
1002.8 mi into trip|~19h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 15 South: San Bernardino, Los Angeles
7
1039.1 mi into trip|~19h 56m in|I 215
Take the exit onto I 215 toward I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indio
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 I 215 South, CA 60 East: San Diego, Indi...
8
1044.2 mi into trip|~20h 2m in|I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 215 Truck; CA 60 Truck toward I 215, CA 60 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 215, CA 60 Truck
7
1124.9 mi into trip|~21h 33m in
Take the exit toward CA 163 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward CA 163 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$180.17 one way
$360.35 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg398 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$188.86
$377.72
premium
$4.53
$202.82
$405.65
diesel
$5.61
$251.04
$502.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$180
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$415–$610
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 397.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $119 in charging
· 4 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
341.1
4
$119.38
$54.58
Efficient EV
284.3
3
$99.49
$45.48
EV Truck/SUV
454.8
5
$159.18
$72.77
Gas CO2
398 kg
EV CO2
133 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 4 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Kamiah, ID
Evening
in Kamiah on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Diego, CA
Evening
in San Diego on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Rain Showers
W 10 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 10:05AM PDT until April 14 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 13 at 12:17AM PDT until April 13 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 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
21h 48m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Nez Perce National Historical Park
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience as you transition away from your starting point in Idaho toward the California coast. While the route utilizes local roads like 3rd Street, Virginia Street, and Superior Street, the lack of traditional highway infrastructure means you will be navigating a more hands-on driving environment. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on local road conditions rather than high-speed interstate cruising. This profile demands constant attention, as the lack of long, uninterrupted stretches requires you to manage navigating through various town centers and local intersections throughout the 1,137-mile trip.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
72 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 363.9 mi on US 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 21h 48m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 905.5 miles in near US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 1137 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 905.5 miles (US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1002.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1039.1 miles (I 215): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,613 ft39 ft
Total Climb
6,221 ft
Total Descent
7,421 ft
Highest Point
6,613 ft
~730.9 mi in
Elevation Range
6,574 ft
Notable High Points
4,406 ft at ~406.1 miles+72 ft prominence
6,613 ft at ~730.9 miles+2,511 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kamiah, ID and San Diego, CA, road signs point toward Parma, Reno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Indio.
From balmy beaches with a laid-back attitude to a gleaming modern image, San Diego offers much for the tourist to enjoy. Situated on the Southern California seacoast, San Diego is the second largest city in the state, with 1.4 million residents (2020), and has long attracted travelers for its ideal climate, miles of beaches, and location on the Mexican border right across from Tijuana.
But there's much more here than surfer culture and a quick hop across the border. A rich maritime and military heritage lives on in San Diego, which is home to the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy. The city has also become known for its part in the wildlife conservation movement, owing to the presence of the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Natural scenery abounds from rocky tidepools and seaside cliffs to desert hills and canyons inland.
Top landmarks
•Balboa Park — historic park in San Diego, California
•Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument of the United States and historic district
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 363.9 miles on US 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 3-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 379 miles on day one.
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 San Diego, CA 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 6 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 905.5 miles (US 395 / Blue Star Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1002.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1039.1 miles (I 215): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Nez Perce National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 21.8 hours each way, a round trip means 43.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Diego, CA before the return drive.
