Hwy 95 in Idaho from New Meadows to Coeur D'Alene.

A few years ago, we drove US 95 from south to north (Boise to Coeur d'Alene) towing our trailer. The two steep grades discussed by the others are uphill in the south to north direction. If you are going north to south, you won't have a problem, except possibly using your brakes too much.

j3ff9ack wrote:
US 95 is a good road - as ramyankee mentioned, the only climb is north of Lewiston out of the river canyon. Enjoy the scenery...

White Bird is a climb too, but all doable if you've got the right truck for your fifth wheel.

We've driven that route north and south from Coeur d'alene.

Basically this highway drops into two river valleys, the Salmon and Snake, and thus has to climb back out on to the surrounding plateau. Lewiston is the lowest point in Idaho. The north bound drops are gentler than the climbs.

Both Whitebird and Lewiston have old grades, which climb at a slower rate with a lot more curves. The old cars had less power.

As said there are two significant grades.

White bird which is a 7 percent climb with an elevation change of 2760 feet in about 7.5 miles.

Lewiston Hill as we call it but when you get to the top you will ask why do we call it a hill.

Lewiston has an elevation change of 2000 feet in about 6.5 miles with a max grade of 7 percent.

White Bird probably is as difficult as the Ike Gauntlet with the exception of the elevation. The top of White Bird is only 4327 feet.

With turbo chargers may be very close. But the summer time temperature at White Bird will be considerably greater with possible temps in the high 90's or even into the 100 range.

Same as others have posted, from our experience as well.

Just to clarify - there are two grades on your proposed route: one at Whitebird, and the Lewiston Grade. Both are significant, but hundreds of cars and heavy trucks go through daily without issues.

US 95 is a good road - as ramyankee mentioned, the only climb is north of Lewiston out of the river canyon. Enjoy the scenery...

Maybe others will chime in but several years back with our previous 5th wheel we took this route and it was nothing major. There is White Bird Pass and it is a pretty decent grade for as I remember 7 miles. We did turn off in Grangeville and headed up 12 into Missoula.Have traveled 95 to Lewiston and to Coeur d'Alone trailerless and remember no issues...
Travel graces to you.