Kimberly, ID to Post Falls, ID is 577.5 miles and takes about 10h 18m via Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway and I 90, with a fuel budget near $100 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive crosses the Mountain West region of Idaho. While it's possible to complete in one day, the 10-hour drive time suggests most travelers will find it more comfortable to break it up over two days. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, primarily highway trip across the state.
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
288.7 miles from Kimberly, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
369.8 mi
6h 20m
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
East 3800 North
4.2 mi
5m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 369.8 mi, about 6h 20m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 430 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,243 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,667
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Kimberly, ID and Post Falls, 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
0.5 mi·35 sec·ID 50
5
Continue on ID 50
484 ft·14 sec·South 1150 East
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
7
Merge onto I 84
370 mi·6 hr 20 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 395
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield, Hermiston
9
Continue on US 395
1.2 mi·1 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
10
Continue on US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
11
Continue on US 395
3.2 mi·3 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
12
Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 4th Street
13
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Theater Lane
14
Turn right onto US 395
0.5 mi·38 sec·North 1st Street
15
Continue on US 395
3.8 mi·4 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
16
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
0.7 mi·48 sec·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 395
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
18
Merge onto I 82; US 395
20 mi·21 min·McNary Highway
19
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
20
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
21
Continue on US 395
4.9 mi·6 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 395
Toward US 395
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
26 mi·30 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
26
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business
27
Turn left onto I 90 Bus
0.4 mi·1 min·North Spokane Street
28
Turn left onto West 10th Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·West 10th Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
West 10th Avenue
Trip Plan
With an estimated duration of over 10 hours, plan for at least a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight. You'll have two planned stops, but consider adding more frequent breaks, especially during the 369.8-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; the estimated cost is $100, so monitor prices along your route, particularly before heading into more remote sections.
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 288.7 miles from Kimberly, ID, or about 4h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 369.8 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 127 miles or 2h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 288.7 miles or 4h 59m 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 288.7 miles or 4h 59m
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 9m
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 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 289 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Post Falls, ID
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 369.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 389.5 and 419.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
389.5 mi into trip|~6h 47m 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
410.1 mi into trip|~7h 9m 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
419.4 mi into trip|~7h 23m 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
419.6 mi into trip|~7h 23m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 395
7
419.9 mi into trip|~7h 24m 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
$104.02 one way
$208.04 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.78
$108.63
$217.27
premium
$5.11
$116.09
$232.18
diesel
$6.18
$140.49
$280.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$104
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$234–$344
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 202.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
173.3
2
$60.64
$27.72
Efficient EV
144.4
1
$50.53
$23.10
EV Truck/SUV
231
2
$80.85
$36.96
Gas CO2
202 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (66% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Kimberly, ID
Morning
in Kimberly on Saturday
Local time
7:49 AM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
E 7 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Post Falls, ID
Morning
in Post Falls on Saturday
Local time
6:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 18m 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.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
During the Pliocene, this place looked quite different. Lush wetlands, forests, and grasslands provided excellent habitat for a variety of animals. From fascinating, now-extinct creatures like the sab...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 39.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 577.5 miles, with 28% on surface roads and 72% on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 369.8 miles on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway before transitioning to US 395 and then I 90. Expect significant highway cruising for the majority of this trip, with fewer exits and more rural segments on the initial portion before merging onto the interstate system.
28% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 369.8 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 10h 18m, 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 389.5 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 17 significant decision points across 577.5 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 389.5 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 410.1 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 419.4 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,924 ft631 ft
Total Climb
3,353 ft
Total Descent
5,098 ft
Highest Point
3,924 ft
Elevation Range
3,293 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kimberly, ID and Post Falls, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 369.8 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial 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 289 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 48 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 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. There are 48 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 389.5 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 410.1 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 419.4 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.6 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.
