Traveling from Kimberly to Coeur d'Alene covers 631.1 miles across the state of Idaho, moving from the southern Mountain West region toward the northern reaches. Expect a total driving time of roughly 10 hours and 19 minutes, which makes this journey far too taxing for a single day behind the wheel. We strongly recommend splitting this trip over two days to stay safe and alert. You should budget approximately $100 for fuel to complete the transit. By utilizing a mix of I-86, I-15 BUS, and I-90, you will navigate the state efficiently, though the sheer length of the route demands careful logistical planning.
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
315.5 miles from Kimberly, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
275.7 mi
4h 38m
I 15 BUS
244.5 mi
3h 49m
I 86
62.7 mi
59m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
39.1 mi
36m
East 3800 North
4.2 mi
5m
East Sherman Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
North 3500 East
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 275.7 mi, about 4h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, ID and Coeur d'Alene, ID.
1
Start on Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on US 30
0.4 mi·39 sec·North 3500 East
3
Turn right onto ID 50
4.2 mi·5 min·East 3800 North
4
Continue on ID 50
0.4 mi·27 sec·ID 50
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
6
Merge onto I 84
39 mi·36 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 86; US 30
63 mi·59 min·I 86; US 30
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·40 sec
Toward Idaho Falls
9
Merge onto I 15 BUS
244 mi·3 hr 49 min·I 15 BUS
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
11
Merge onto I 90
276 mi·4 hr 38 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward Sherman Avenue
13
Turn left onto East Sherman Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·East Sherman Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·North 4th Street
15
Turn right onto East Garden Avenue
139 ft·6 sec·East Garden Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
East Garden Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 631.1-mile trek effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the monotony of the interstate. Since the drive is best spread over two days, look for a midpoint to rest so you aren't rushing the final, lengthy stretch on I-90. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $100 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing along the corridor. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination before dark. By spacing out your travel, you will manage the long hours much more comfortably.
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 315.5 miles from Kimberly, ID, or about 5h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 275.7 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 139 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 315.5 miles or 5h 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 315.5 miles or 5h
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 9h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coeur d'Alene, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, ID
Aim for roughly 316 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Coeur d'Alene, ID
Aim for roughly 316 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 139 miles from Kimberly, 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 I 90 for about 275.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 631.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1 mi into trip|~1m in|ID 50 / East 3800 North
Turn right onto ID 50 / East 3800 North
Navigation decision point
5
107.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Idaho Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Idaho Falls
4
352.8 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: Missoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
6
629.3 mi into trip|~10h 16m in|East Sherman Avenue
Turn left onto East Sherman Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
631.1 mi into trip|~10h 19m in|East Garden Avenue
Turn right onto East Garden Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$100.01 one way
$200.01 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg221 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$104.83
$209.65
premium
$4.53
$112.58
$225.16
diesel
$5.61
$139.34
$278.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$100
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$230–$340
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 220.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $66 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
189.3
2
$66.27
$30.29
Efficient EV
157.8
1
$55.22
$25.24
EV Truck/SUV
252.4
3
$88.35
$40.39
Gas CO2
221 kg
EV CO2
74 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Kimberly, ID
Evening
in Kimberly on Saturday
Local time
7:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Evening
in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday
Local time
6:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 3 mph6% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Whitehall, MT
208 mi in
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 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
10h 19m 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?
With 92% of this route consisting of highway driving, you will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining steady speeds on major interstates. The experience is defined by long, consistent stretches, including a significant 275.7-mile segment on I-90 that requires endurance and focus. While the road is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a reliable pace. Expect a straightforward, high-speed interstate grind that prioritizes distance over winding, secondary roads. Prepare for a focused driving experience where maintaining your momentum is the primary goal.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 275.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15 BUS. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near ID 50 / East 3800 North.
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 631.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 1 miles (ID 50 / East 3800 North): Navigation decision point; at 107.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 352.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,697 ft2,191 ft
Total Climb
2,064 ft
Total Descent
3,797 ft
Highest Point
5,697 ft
~341.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,506 ft
Notable High Points
5,520 ft at ~210.4 miles+291 ft prominence
5,697 ft at ~341.8 miles+468 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kimberly, ID to Coeur d'Alene, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Idaho Falls
107.8 mi in|~1h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 275.7 miles on I 90. 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 316 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 Coeur d'Alene, 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 1 miles (ID 50 / East 3800 North): Navigation decision point; at 107.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 352.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Coeur d'Alene, ID before the return drive.
