Interstate 90 in Idaho, section of Interstate Highway in Kootenai and Shoshone counties in Idaho, United States
Interstate 90 in Idaho is a four-lane major highway that runs across the northern part of the state from the Washington border to the Montana border. It follows the Spokane River valley, passes along Lake Coeur d'Alene, crosses several mountain passes, and connects larger cities like Coeur d'Alene with smaller towns and historic mining communities.
Interstate 90 is based on the historic Mullan Road, built in the mid-19th century as one of the first engineered roads in the region. The federal highway project began in 1957 and took several decades to complete, with final sections opening in the early 1990s, creating a major east-west corridor for rapid travel.
The highway connects various communities across northern Idaho, passing by historic mining towns and small settlements that maintain their local character and heritage. Travelers see signs of the region's mining past and encounter places like Wallace, where old architecture still defines the town's identity.
Drivers should watch for wildlife crossing the road, especially at dawn and dusk, and bring water and snacks for longer journeys. Rest areas and service stations are spaced along the route where travelers can stop to stretch and get basic supplies.
In Wallace, the highway was rerouted onto a tall viaduct along the town's edge during the 1980s to protect the historic downtown from through traffic. This diversion also eliminated the last traffic light on Interstate 90 in Idaho, the only such signal on the entire federal highway.
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