Traveling from Star to Coeur d'Alene covers 392.3 miles of Idaho landscape, typically requiring about 7 hours and 4 minutes of time behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via Star Boulevard, East Main Street, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Because the journey is manageable in a single day, it works well as a direct trip if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $62 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both cities are located within the Mountain West, the route offers a consistent regional feel as you traverse the state from south to north.
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
216.7 miles from Star, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
212.7 mi
3h 46m
US 395
131.7 mi
2h 23m
I 90
32.7 mi
37m
McNary Highway
20.4 mi
21m
Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8.2 mi
9m
West State Street
5.7 mi
9m
Lewis and Clark Trail
4.9 mi
6m
East Main Street
4.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 212.7 mi, about 3h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Star, ID and Coeur d'Alene, ID.
1
Start on ID 44
5.7 mi·9 min·West State Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on ID 44
0.6 mi·1 min·Star Boulevard
3
Continue on ID 44
4.1 mi·7 min·East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
5
Merge onto I 84; US 30
213 mi·3 hr 46 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 395
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 North: Stanfield, Hermiston
7
Continue on US 395
1.2 mi·1 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
8
Continue on US 395
2.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on US 395
3.2 mi·3 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
10
Turn right onto Southeast 4th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 4th Street
11
Turn left onto East Theater Lane
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Theater Lane
12
Turn right onto US 395
0.5 mi·38 sec·North 1st Street
13
Continue on US 395
3.8 mi·4 min·Umatilla-Stanfield Highway
14
Turn left onto US 395; US 730
0.7 mi·48 sec·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 395
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
16
Merge onto I 82; US 395
20 mi·21 min·McNary Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
18
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
19
Continue on US 395
4.9 mi·6 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 395
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, FinleyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 395
Toward US 395
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
131 mi·2 hr 20 min·US 395
Toward US 395 North: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
33 mi·37 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Northwest Boulevard
25
Turn right onto Northwest Boulevard
1.7 mi·3 min·Northwest Boulevard
26
Turn left onto West Garden Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Garden Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on East Garden Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Garden Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
East Garden Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, plan for at least two stops to keep your energy levels steady throughout the day. Starting your trip early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy local roads while you are fresh and traffic is lighter. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation to avoid missing turns on the winding sections. Having $62 ready for fuel will cover your transit costs, but it is always wise to keep a buffer in your budget for local fluctuations. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to choose your own pace, ensuring you reach Coeur d'Alene comfortably by evening.
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 216.7 miles from Star, ID, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.7 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 95 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.7 miles or 3h 58m 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 216.7 miles or 3h 58m
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 6h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coeur d'Alene, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Star, 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 Star, ID
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Coeur d'Alene, ID
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Star, 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 212.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 237.2 and 267.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick, Yaki...
6
257.8 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
7
267.1 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|US 395
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
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.
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...
6
267.3 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 395
7
267.5 mi into trip|~5h in|US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 395 North: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.68 one way
$137.36 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$71.99
$143.98
premium
$4.53
$77.31
$154.62
diesel
$5.61
$95.69
$191.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130
1
$45.51
$20.80
Efficient EV
108.4
1
$37.92
$17.34
EV Truck/SUV
173.4
2
$60.68
$27.74
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Star, ID
Evening
in Star on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Evening
in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°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.
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
16 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
8h 4m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a highway share of 0%, this route demands your full attention as you navigate through various local road segments. The character of the trip is defined by frequent changes in direction and pace rather than monotonous, high-speed stretches. You should prepare for a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical than a standard highway trek. Staying alert is essential as you transition through the diverse local road network connecting these two Idaho points.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.7 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 237.2 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 433.4 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 237.2 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.8 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Star, ID and Coeur d'Alene, ID, road signs point toward Hermiston, Yakima, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.
Hermiston
223.5 mi in|~4h 5m|via US 395
Yakima
237.2 mi in|~4h 23m|via US 395
Pasco
257.8 mi in|~4h 45m|via US 395
Spokane
257.8 mi in|~4h 45m|via US 395
Finley
267.1 mi in|~4h 59m|via US 395
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212.7 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial 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 217 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 Coeur d'Alene, 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 237.2 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.8 miles (US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Coeur d'Alene, ID before the return drive.
