Osburn, ID to Caldwell, ID is 471 miles and takes about 8h 36m via Old Oregon Trail Highway and I 90, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight stay is recommended. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a solid 2-day drive. You'll spend about 29% of your time on highways, with the rest on surface roads, so expect a mix of cruising and more local travel. It’s a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across Idaho with practical stops.
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
235.5 miles from Osburn, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Old Oregon Trail Highway
215.2 mi
3h 48m
I 90
134.7 mi
2h 28m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
73.7 mi
1h 19m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
23.7 mi
26m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Lewis and Clark Trail
5.7 mi
7m
North Main Street
2 mi
2m
Northeast 4th Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Old Oregon Trail Highway
— 215.2 mi, about 3h 48m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 140 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,822 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,207
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.4×
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 Osburn, ID and Caldwell, ID.
1
Start on I 90 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·North 3rd Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
3
Merge onto I 90
78 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 90
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
Toward Ritzville, Pasco
6
Take the exit onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pendleton
7
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
1.9 mi·2 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.8 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport
9
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·North US 395
10
Continue on US 395
24 mi·26 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
171 ft·10 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
13
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
0.8 mi·57 sec·Columbia River Highway
14
Turn right onto US 395
3.8 mi·4 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
15
Continue on US 395
0.5 mi·44 sec·North 1st Street
16
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
0.3 mi·40 sec·East Theater Lane
17
Turn right onto Northeast 4th Street
1.6 mi·2 min·Northeast 4th Street
18
Turn left onto US 395
3.2 mi·3 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
19
Continue on US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
20
Continue on US 395
1.4 mi·1 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
21
Take the exit onto US 395
0.5 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield
22
Merge onto I 84; US 30; US 395
215 mi·3 hr 48 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
0.7 mi·47 sec·Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 28Toward City Center, 10th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto North 10th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 10th Avenue
26
Turn left
68 ft·6 sec
27
Turn right
79 ft·5 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8.5-hour driving time, breaking this trip into two days is a smart move, with your first day covering around 235 miles. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point to avoid a marathon driving day. You'll have 2 designated stops along the way, so use those for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on the longer surface road stretches, as services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $76, so budget accordingly.
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 235.5 miles from Osburn, ID, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.2 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 104 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235.5 miles or 4h 21m 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 235.5 miles or 4h 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 7h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caldwell, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Osburn, 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 Osburn, ID
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Caldwell, ID
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Osburn, 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 Old Oregon Trail Highway for about 215.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 135.1 and 470.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway toward Ritzville, Pasco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Ritzville, Pasco
5
208.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pendleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pend...
6
211.2 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia B...
7
240.1 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 south, US 730: Umatilla, Hermisto...
8
470.1 mi into trip|~8h 34m in
Take the exit toward City Center, 10th Avenue
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.
Exit 28
Toward City Center, 10th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.68 one way
$163.37 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg165 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$85.43
$170.86
premium
$4.95
$91.79
$183.58
diesel
$5.60
$103.82
$207.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141.3
1
$49.46
$22.61
Efficient EV
117.8
1
$41.21
$18.84
EV Truck/SUV
188.4
2
$65.94
$30.14
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Osburn, ID
Late night
in Osburn on Friday
Local time
12:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
S 1 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Caldwell, ID
Late night
in Caldwell on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
MDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
8h 36m 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?
You'll be on surface roads for the majority of this 471-mile drive, with about 29% of the total mileage on highways like I 90. The longest continuous stretch on a surface road is 215.2 miles along Old Oregon Trail Highway. Expect a more rural feel for much of the trip, transitioning from highway cruising to navigating through towns and local routes. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you encounter more intersections and varying speed limits.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.2 mi on Old Oregon Trail Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.1 miles in near US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 471 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 135.1 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.8 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,745 ft556 ft
Total Climb
3,871 ft
Total Descent
4,018 ft
Highest Point
3,745 ft
~276.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,189 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Osburn, ID and Caldwell, ID, road signs point toward Ritzville, Pasco, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport and Hermiston - among others.
The longest stretch is about 215.2 miles on Old Oregon Trail 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 236 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Caldwell, 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 36 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 135.1 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.8 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Caldwell, ID before the return drive.
