Post Falls, ID to Kimberly, ID is 578.4 miles and takes about 10h 18m via Old Oregon Trail Highway, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, and Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $102 and a recommendation for 2 days. This long-haul drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels. Given the distance and duration, planning for an overnight stop is wise to avoid fatigue. It's a practical route for connecting these two points in Idaho.
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
289.2 miles from Post Falls, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Old Oregon Trail Highway
215.2 mi
3h 48m
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
154.3 mi
2h 30m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
73.7 mi
1h 19m
I 90
56.6 mi
1h
I 90 Bus
26.2 mi
31m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
23.7 mi
26m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Lewis and Clark Trail
5.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Old Oregon Trail Highway
— 215.2 mi, about 3h 48m
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 Post Falls, ID and Kimberly, ID.
1
Start on West 10th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·West 10th Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Spokane Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·North Spokane Street
3
Take the ramp onto I 90 Bus
26 mi·31 min·I 90 Bus
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
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
22 mi·25 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30
133 mi·2 hr 5 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward ID 50: Eden, Kimberly
27
Turn right onto ID 50
0.5 mi·31 sec·ID 50
28
Continue on ID 50
4.2 mi·6 min·South 1150 East
29
Turn left onto US 30
0.4 mi·36 sec·North 3500 East
30
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·32 sec·Main Street North
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Main Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
With a 10-hour drive time, this route is best split over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. Plan for about 2 stops, which should be sufficient for breaks and fuel. Consider breaking the drive roughly in half, perhaps around the 5-hour mark, to find a convenient overnight location. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on Old Oregon Trail Highway, as services can be spread out.
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 289.2 miles from Post Falls, ID, or about 5h 22m 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 127 miles or 2h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 289.2 miles or 5h 22m 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 289.2 miles or 5h 22m
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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimberly, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Post Falls, 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 Post Falls, ID
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kimberly, 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 Post Falls, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 83.3 and 439.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
83.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
157 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
159.4 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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...
6
439.9 mi into trip|~8h 3m in|I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$100.31 one way
$200.62 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$104.91
$209.82
premium
$4.95
$112.72
$225.44
diesel
$5.60
$127.50
$255.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$100
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$230–$340
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 202.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
173.5
2
$60.73
$27.76
Efficient EV
144.6
1
$50.61
$23.14
EV Truck/SUV
231.4
2
$80.98
$37.02
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 Aug 30, 2026
Origin
Post Falls, ID
Night
in Post Falls on Tuesday
Local time
10:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SW 8 to 13 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kimberly, ID
Night
in Kimberly on Tuesday
Local time
11:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
W 6 to 12 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
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 538.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter a 15% highway share on this route, meaning much of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 215.2 miles on Old Oregon Trail Highway. Expect a shift from highway cruising to more rural travel as you progress. The frequent exits on the highway sections will require your attention as you merge and depart.
15% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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?
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 83.3 miles in near US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway.
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 21 significant decision points across 578.4 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 83.3 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
3,924 ft633 ft
Total Climb
5,073 ft
Total Descent
3,328 ft
Highest Point
3,924 ft
~578.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,292 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Post Falls, ID and Kimberly, ID, road signs point toward Ritzville, Pasco, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport and Hermiston - among others.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 289 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 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 Kimberly, 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: at 83.3 miles (US 395 / Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kimberly, ID before the return drive.
