Pocatello to Lewiston is 502.6 miles and takes about 9 hours 33 minutes via US 30 and US 95, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best as an overnight trip. This route stays within Idaho, traversing the Mountain West region from start to finish. Expect a long-haul drive that requires careful planning to break up the substantial mileage comfortably. Consider this trip if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state with minimal navigation changes.
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
251.3 miles from Pocatello, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
234.3 mi
3h 43m
North Norris Avenue
76.4 mi
1h 26m
US 95
67.5 mi
1h 18m
Main Street
45.6 mi
1h 1m
Horseshoe Bend Road
18.9 mi
25m
Highway 55
18.4 mi
27m
West Lake Street
10.6 mi
16m
North Horseshoe Bend Road
8.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 234.3 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~455 veh/hr typical
· worst 609
Quietest
2 AM
~27 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Pocatello, ID and Lewiston, ID.
1
Start on North 7th Avenue
135 ft·11 sec·North 7th Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Hayden Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·East Hayden Street
3
Turn right onto I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
0.1 mi·12 sec·North 5th Avenue
4
Continue on I 15 BUS; US 30; US 91
0.3 mi·32 sec·Pocatello Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 30
0.4 mi·38 sec·Gould Street
6
Turn slight right onto US 30
4.6 mi·7 min·US 30
7
Take the ramp onto US 30
230 mi·3 hr 36 min·US 30
Toward I 86 West, US 30 West: Airport, American Falls, Twin FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 50AToward Cole Road, Overland RoadUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
232 ft·12 sec
Toward Cole RoadUse the left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto South Cole Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South Cole Road
11
Continue on North Cole Road
2.6 mi·5 min·North Cole Road
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto North Mountain View Drive
0.2 mi·39 sec·North Mountain View Drive
13
Turn right onto North Glenwood Street
1.7 mi·3 min·North Glenwood Street
14
Turn left onto ID 44
2.3 mi·3 min·West State Street
15
Take the ramp
513 ft·14 sec
Toward SH-55
16
Merge onto ID 55
8.8 mi·11 min·North Horseshoe Bend Road
17
Continue on ID 55
5.9 mi·7 min·Payette River Scenic Byway
18
Continue on ID 55
2.4 mi·3 min·Highway 55
19
Continue on ID 55
0.4 mi·29 sec·Horseshoe Bend Road
20
Continue on ID 55
16 mi·24 min·Highway 55
21
Continue on ID 55
18 mi·25 min·Horseshoe Bend Road
22
Continue on ID 55
46 mi·1 hr 1 min·Main Street
23
Turn left onto Deinhard Lane
1.6 mi·2 min·Deinhard Lane
24
Continue on Boydstun Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Boydstun Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto ID 55
11 mi·16 min·West Lake Street
26
Turn right onto US 95
76 mi·1 hr 26 min·North Norris Avenue
27
Turn left onto Johnston Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Johnston Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
67 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 95
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 12
1.6 mi·3 min·US 12
Toward Lewiston
30
Turn right onto Idaho Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Idaho Street
31
Turn left
105 ft·7 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour-plus duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart Pocatello in the morning to make good progress on your first leg. The longest stretch on US 30 covers over 234 miles, so plan your first major stop around that point to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer highway portions, as services can be spread out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $88.
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 251.3 miles from Pocatello, ID, or about 4h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.3 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 111 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 251.3 miles or 4h 13m 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 251.3 miles or 4h 13m
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 8h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewiston, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, ID
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lewiston, ID
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Pocatello, 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 US 30 for about 234.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 251.3 miles from Pocatello, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 251 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 432.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Hayden Street
Turn left onto East Hayden Street
Navigation decision point
7
5.6 mi into trip|~9m in|US 30
Take the ramp onto US 30 toward I 86 West, US 30 West: Airport, American Falls, Twin Falls
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 86 West, US 30 West: Airport, American...
8
235.4 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward Cole Road, Overland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 50A
Toward Cole Road, Overland Road
8
235.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Cole Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Cole Road
7
432.8 mi into trip|~8h 9m in|US 95
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.16 one way
$174.33 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg176 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$91.16
$182.32
premium
$4.95
$97.95
$195.90
diesel
$5.60
$110.79
$221.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
150.8
1
$52.77
$24.12
Efficient EV
125.7
1
$43.98
$20.10
EV Truck/SUV
201
2
$70.36
$32.17
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 kg (66% 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 23, 2026
Origin
Pocatello, ID
Night
in Pocatello on Tuesday
Local time
9:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 7 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 22 at 11:24PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 22 at 9:38PM PDT until August 23 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Lewiston, ID
Evening
in Lewiston on Tuesday
Local time
8:01 PM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
W 3 to 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 22 at 11:24PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued August 22 at 9:38PM PDT until August 23 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
45°F
Eagle, ID
166 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 33m 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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 138.6
Since time immemorial, the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people. Extremely resilient, they survived the settling of the...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 433.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Roughly 64% of this drive is on highways, with a significant 234.3-mile stretch on US 30. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads at various points, particularly as you navigate through towns. The longest continuous highway segment suggests periods of uninterrupted driving before encountering more local traffic and lower speed limits. Be prepared for a mix of open road and more built-up areas.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.3 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
At 9h 33m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Hayden Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 502.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 (East Hayden Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.4 miles: 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
4,862 ft741 ft
Total Climb
4,128 ft
Total Descent
7,851 ft
Highest Point
4,862 ft
~339.4 mi in
Elevation Range
4,121 ft
Notable High Points
4,862 ft at ~339.4 miles+777 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 Pocatello, ID to Lewiston, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Sh-55 along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Nave Apartments — apartment building in Lewiston, United States of America
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.3 miles on US 30. 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 251 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lewiston, 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: near the start (East Hayden Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles (US 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.4 miles: 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 and Nez Perce National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lewiston, ID before the return drive.
