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Trip from Lewiston, ID to Spirit Lake, ID

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 11m

Distance

139.6 mi

225 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Nez Perce County, Idaho, United States

Lewiston, ID

Wikimedia Commons

city in Kootenai County, Idaho, United States

Spirit Lake, ID

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lewiston to Spirit Lake covers 139.6 miles of Idaho terrain, taking approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $22 on fuel for the trek, which stays entirely within the Mountain West region. Navigating this route requires shifting away from major interstates, as your path relies on local roads like Idaho Street, 19th Street, and 7th Avenue. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that prioritizes local connectivity over highway speed, making it a great option if you prefer a more hands-on driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

69.8 miles from Lewiston, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 95 90 mi 1h 58m
North Highway 41 17.7 mi 26m
South Washington Street 16.8 mi 23m
Reisenauer Road 5.3 mi 6m
I 90 4.7 mi 5m
South Main Street 1.1 mi 2m
US 12 1 mi 2m
North 5th Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 95 — 90 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lewiston, ID and Spirit Lake, ID.

1

Start on this road

105 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Idaho Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Idaho Street
3

Turn right onto 19th Street

288 ft · 18 sec · 19th Street
4

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · 7th Avenue
5

At end of road, turn left onto 21st Street

339 ft · 10 sec · 21st Street
6

Continue on US 12

1.0 mi · 2 min · US 12
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward US 95 North, US 195 North: Moscow, Pullman, Coeur d' Alene, Spokane
8

Merge onto US 95

6.2 mi · 7 min · US 95
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 95

17 mi · 25 min · US 95
10

Turn left onto Reisenauer Road

5.3 mi · 6 min · Reisenauer Road
11

At end of road, turn left onto US 95

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on US 95; ID 8

17 mi · 23 min · South Washington Street
Toward Potlatch, Cour d'Alene Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 95; ID 6

67 mi · 1 hr 25 min · US 95; ID 6
14

Turn left onto I 90

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 90
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
16

Keep slight right at fork

425 ft · 10 sec
17

Turn straight onto ID 41

7.5 mi · 11 min · North Highway 41
18

Turn left onto ID 53; ID 41

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West Highway 53 / North Highway 41
19

Turn right onto ID 41

10 mi · 15 min · North Highway 41
20

Continue on ID 41

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 5th Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

ID 41

Trip Plan

Since this is a 3-hour, 11-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving early in the day allows you to make the most of your arrival. You only need to plan for one scheduled stop to break up the journey, which helps keep the drive comfortable. Keep in mind that because the route relies on local streets rather than highways, your average speed will remain lower than on typical regional transit paths. Budgeting $22 for fuel should cover your needs, but having a little extra set aside is always a smart move for local road travel. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Idaho Street, 19th Street, and 7th Avenue before you head out, as navigating local turns requires a bit more focus than following a single highway sign.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.8 miles from Lewiston, ID, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 31 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 69.8 miles or 1h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spirit Lake, ID than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lewiston, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lewiston, ID

This is one driving day of about 139.6 miles and 3h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Lewiston, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 95 for about 90 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Coeur d'Alene, ID, ID

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Coeur d'Alene, ID

70 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Coeur d'Alene, ID to Spirit Lake, ID

25.9 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Moscow, ID

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.8 miles from Lewiston, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Mystic Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lewiston, Idaho

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12087431811

Visit website

IMUA Hawaiian Style Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lewiston, Idaho

0.4 mi

The Blue Lantern Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lewiston, Idaho

0.6 mi

Mystic Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12087431811

Visit website

IMUA Hawaiian Style Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12087981932

Visit website

The Blue Lantern Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12087461205

Visit website

Mandarin Pine Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12087464919

Visit website

Southway Pizzeria & Deli

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12087430400

Visit website

Meriwether's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12087481151

Visit website

Golden Dragon Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 12–8 pm

+12087431952

Visit website

Cuppa Columbian Caffe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12087190445

Visit website

Anchored Coffee Company Ironwood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+12085512388

Visit website

Vault Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12089664193

Visit website

Inland Café & Tea

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12087717272

Visit website

It's a Love Story | Books & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Hayden, Idaho

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+12087725053

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.5 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Post Falls, Idaho

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.4 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Black Bay Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Post Falls, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+12087730539

Visit website

Clearwater Canyon Cellars

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Lewiston, Idaho

Hours: 12–5 pm

+12088164679

Visit website

Riverstone Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

Fort Sherman Playground

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12087692300

Visit website

Timberline Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

+12088202080

Visit website

Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12082925670

Visit website

McEuen Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+12087692252

Visit website

Coeur d'Alene Convention & Visitor Bureau

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12086643194

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 30.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Idaho Street

Turn right onto Idaho Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | 7th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | 21st Street

At end of road, turn left onto 21st Street

Navigation decision point

6
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 95 North, US 195 North: Moscow, Pullman, Coeur d' Alene, Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 95 North, US 195 North: Moscow, Pullm...
7
30.5 mi into trip | ~45m in | US 95 / South Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 95 / South Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.12 one way

$44.24 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $23.19 $46.38
premium $4.53 $24.90 $49.81
diesel $5.61 $30.82 $61.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.9 0 $14.66 $6.70
Efficient EV 34.9 0 $12.21 $5.58
EV Truck/SUV 55.8 0 $19.54 $8.93

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Lewiston, ID

Late night in Lewiston on Tuesday

Local time

2:00 AM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Spirit Lake, ID

Late night in Spirit Lake on Tuesday

Local time

2:00 AM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live 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.

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

3h 11m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, forcing you to navigate through the heart of the local landscape. The road profile is technical, requiring you to stay alert through consistent turns rather than cruising on long, straight stretches of pavement. As you progress through the 3-hour journey, the lack of highway segments creates an intimate, ground-level perspective of the area. Prepare for a trip that feels more like a series of connected local passages than a high-speed transit route.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90 mi on US 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 95 and North Highway 41. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Idaho Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 139.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Idaho Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (21st Street): Navigation decision point.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lewiston, ID and Spirit Lake, ID, road signs point toward Potlatch and Cour D'alene.

Potlatch

31.7 mi in | ~47m | via US 95; ID 8

Cour D'alene

31.7 mi in | ~47m | via US 95; ID 8

About the Cities

Starting in Lewiston, ID

Full guide →

Lewiston is the county seat of and largest city in Nez Perce County, Idaho. It is the second largest city in the Idaho Panhandle region behind Coeur d'Alene. It sits across the river from Clarkston, Washington. In 2020, Lewiston was home to 34,000 people. Like Pocatello, Lewiston has a strong working-class heritage. Industries related to timber and logging pursuits have long been key to the city's economy. Because the Columbia and later the Snake River are navigable by some ocean-going vessels all the way to Lewiston, the city has the distinction of being Idaho's only port city, and the furthest inland port in the western United States.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 139.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90 miles on US 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Spirit Lake, 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 1 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: near the start (Idaho Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (21st Street): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Spirit Lake, ID, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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