Origin
Paul, ID
Evening in Paul on Saturday
Local time
8:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paul, ID to Meridian, ID
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
168 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paul, ID
Shots by Kevin
Meridian, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Paul, ID to Meridian, ID is 168 miles and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes via Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward, same-day trip. Expect a local feel with frequent turns rather than a high-speed interstate journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is manageable for most drivers looking for a direct connection between these two Idaho locations.
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
84 miles from Paul, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 163.3 mi | 2h 35m |
| South 600 West | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Overland Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Meridian Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Idaho Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 163.3 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paul, ID and Meridian, ID.
1
Start on East Idaho Street
56 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Idaho Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Continue on ID 27
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South 600 West
4
Continue on ID 27
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Overland Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I-84: Twin Falls
6
Merge onto I 84
163 mi
·
2 hr 35 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 44
Toward ID 69 South: Meridian, Kuna
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
310 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Turn slight right onto ID 69
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Meridian Road
10
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 45 minute duration, leaving Paul, ID in the morning or early afternoon will easily get you to Meridian, ID before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $27, this is a drive where you have flexibility. Consider making your fuel stop strategically before departing Paul, or plan it for when you're about halfway through the 163.3-mile stretch on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests vigilance will be key.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84 miles from Paul, ID, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.3 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 37 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 22m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paul, 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 Paul, ID
This is one driving day of about 168 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Paul, 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 163.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84 miles from Paul, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 166.7 — 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
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I-84: Twin Falls
Navigation decision point
Toward I-84: Twin Falls
5
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
166.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward ID 69 South: Meridian, Kuna
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 44
Toward ID 69 South: Meridian, Kuna
6
166.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.62 one way
$53.24 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $27.91 | $55.81 |
| premium | $4.53 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.70 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Meridian, ID
Evening in Meridian on Saturday
Local time
8:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 6 mph
0% chance
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
5 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
2h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, with only a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating surface streets for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 163.3 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, suggesting a significant portion of the journey follows this primary road before transitioning. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you traverse local roads, unlike a monotonous interstate cruise. The drive will likely involve more attention to navigation due to the numerous turns.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.3 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 45m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 168 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.3 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Meridian, ID before heading back.
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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