U.S. Route 12 in Idaho
Encyclopedia
US Route 12 is a state highway in north central Idaho
. It extends 174.21 miles (280.363 km) from the Washington state line in Lewiston
east to the Montana
state line at Lolo Pass
, generally along the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway
, crossing the Snake River
at the state line. It heads east through Lewiston, turning north to cross the Clearwater River
and intersect SH-128. It continues east to overlap US 95
along a limited access section. The overlapped highways run east along the north bank of the Clearwater River for 7.299 miles, leaving Lewiston and entering the Nez Perce Indian Reservation before separating.
US 12 then continues east along the north bank of the Clearwater through North Lapwai, past the Ant and Yellowjacket rock formation and a historical marker for the Spalding Mission
. It continues east to intersect SH-3
and cross the Clearwater again.
US 12 then continues east along the south bank of the Clearwater past historical markers commemorating Indian houses and the ghost town of Slaterville, and, in a rest area at Lenore
, a historical marker for the Lenore Tram. It then continues into Clearwater County
.
In Clearwater County, US 12 continues east along the south bank of the Clearwater through Orofino
. Just after leaving Orofino, it briefly overlaps SH-7
, then continues southeast along the south bank of the Clearwater past a historical marker for the point where Lewis and Clark first found a western-flowing river, and into Lewis County
. It then continues into Lewis County
.
In Lewis County, US 12 continues southeast along the south bank of the Clearwater, intersecting SH-11
at Greer
and passing a historical marker for a ferry operated in the 1860 gold rush. It then continues southeast into Kamiah
, where it intersects SH-162. It then crosses the Clearwater again, leaving Kamiah and entering Idaho County
.
In Idaho County, US 12 continues south along the north bank of the Clearwater, crossing Nez Perce National Historical Park
. In the park, it passes a historical marker for two sites located about two miles away, commemorating the Lewis and Clark Long Camp of 1806 and the Asa Smith mission of 1839 to 1841. It then continues south along the north bank of the Clearwater, intersecting SH-13
across the river from Kooskia
. It then turns east along the north bank of the Clearwater, passing a historical marker commemorating the camp of Nez Perce led by Looking Glass, and the July 1, 1877 attack by the U.S. Army
that provoked Looking Glass to join the Nez Perce retreat with Chief Joseph
. It continues east along the north bank of the Clearwater, leaving the Nez Perce reservation. US 12 then continues to Lowell, where it turns northeast along the north bank of the Lochsa River through the Rocky Mountains
.
In the Rockies, US 12 passes historical markers for Whitehouse Pond, Lewis and Clark's crossing of the Lolo Trail in 1806, and their crossing of the Lolo Pass summit in 1805, before crossing Lolo Pass at the Montana state line.
. In 1962, the highway was extended west to Lewiston, ending at the former US 410
. In 1967, it was extended to its current western terminus in Aberdeen, Washington
, with the Idaho section taking its current route.
, to oil sands facilities near Fort McMurray, Alberta
and to a refinery in Billings, Montana
. On two-lane portions of the road, the equipment, weighing as much as 300 tons and as much as 30 feet high and 24 feet wide would occupy the entire roadway. The route is preferable to other routes due to the lack of underpasses and the great distances involved. The alternative is transport across the Great Plains from Texas or New Orleans On U.S. 12 the major obstacle would be power lines which would have to be raised or buried. That and other alterations to the highway such as turnouts would be would be paid for by the companies. The trucks would transport only at night, moving short distances between places where they would pull off and let traffic pass. A permit granted by the Idaho Transportation Department
to ConocoPhillips
in August, 2010 is the subject of litigation initiated by householders along the route. On January 19, 2011 it was announced that the Idaho government would issue permits for four loads of refinery equipment to be transported from Lewiston to Billings.
The Port of Lewiston is the furthest inland seaport on the West Coast of the United States of America. It ships wheat, barley, legumes to Asia and the Sout Pacific as well as the Middle East and Africa.There are also inland seaports at the port of Clarkston, Washington and Port of Wilma in Whitman County, WA.
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. It extends 174.21 miles (280.363 km) from the Washington state line in Lewiston
Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston is a city in and also the county seat of Nez Perce County in the Pacific Northwest state of Idaho. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID - Clarkston, WA...
east to the Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
state line at Lolo Pass
Lolo Pass (Idaho-Montana)
Lolo Pass, elevation , is a mountain pass in the United States, in the Bitterroot Range of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is on the border between the states of Montana and Idaho, approximately west-southwest of Missoula, Montana....
, generally along the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
Route description
US 12 enters Idaho at the Washington state line in Lewiston, Nez Perce CountyNez Perce County, Idaho
Nez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe....
, crossing the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
at the state line. It heads east through Lewiston, turning north to cross the Clearwater River
Clearwater River (Idaho)
The Clearwater River is a river in north central Idaho, which flows westward from the Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho-Montana border, and joins the Snake River at Lewiston. In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition descended the Clearwater River in dugout canoes, putting in at "Canoe...
and intersect SH-128. It continues east to overlap US 95
U.S. Route 95 in Idaho
In the U.S. state of Idaho, U.S. Route 95 is a north–south highway near the western border of the state, stretching from Oregon to British Columbia for over .-Route description:...
along a limited access section. The overlapped highways run east along the north bank of the Clearwater River for 7.299 miles, leaving Lewiston and entering the Nez Perce Indian Reservation before separating.
US 12 then continues east along the north bank of the Clearwater through North Lapwai, past the Ant and Yellowjacket rock formation and a historical marker for the Spalding Mission
Henry H. Spalding
Henry Harmon Spalding , and his wife Eliza Hart Spalding were prominent Presbyterian missionaries and educators working primarily with the Nez Perce in the U.S. Pacific Northwest...
. It continues east to intersect SH-3
Idaho State Highway 3
Idaho State Highway 3 is a state highway in northern Idaho connecting US 12 near Spalding with I-90 near Rose Lake. It is long and runs north–south.-Route description:...
and cross the Clearwater again.
US 12 then continues east along the south bank of the Clearwater past historical markers commemorating Indian houses and the ghost town of Slaterville, and, in a rest area at Lenore
Lenore, Idaho
Lenore is an unincorporated community in Nez Perce County, Idaho, United States. Lenore is located on the north bank of the Clearwater River east-northeast of Lewiston. Lenore has a post office with ZIP code 83541....
, a historical marker for the Lenore Tram. It then continues into Clearwater County
Clearwater County, Idaho
Clearwater County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, the county was named after the Clearwater River. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 8,930 . The county seat is Orofino....
.
In Clearwater County, US 12 continues east along the south bank of the Clearwater through Orofino
Orofino, Idaho
Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
. Just after leaving Orofino, it briefly overlaps SH-7
Idaho State Highway 7
Idaho State Highway 7 is a state highway in Clearwater County, Idaho running from the Lewis County line through Orofino. It is long and runs north-south.-Route description:...
, then continues southeast along the south bank of the Clearwater past a historical marker for the point where Lewis and Clark first found a western-flowing river, and into Lewis County
Lewis County, Idaho
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Nezperce, and Kamiah is the county's largest city.-Geography:...
. It then continues into Lewis County
Lewis County, Idaho
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Nezperce, and Kamiah is the county's largest city.-Geography:...
.
In Lewis County, US 12 continues southeast along the south bank of the Clearwater, intersecting SH-11
Idaho State Highway 11
State Highway 11 is a state highway in northern Idaho. It runs from U.S. Route 12 near Greer, north to Headquarters.-Route description:...
at Greer
Greer, Idaho
Greer is an unincorporated community in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. Greer is located along the Clearwater River and Idaho State Highway 11 near the latter's junction with U.S. Route 12, southeast of Orofino....
and passing a historical marker for a ferry operated in the 1860 gold rush. It then continues southeast into Kamiah
Kamiah, Idaho
Kamiah is a city in Idaho and Lewis counties in the U.S. state of Idaho. The largest city in Lewis County, it extends only a small distance into Idaho County. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census...
, where it intersects SH-162. It then crosses the Clearwater again, leaving Kamiah and entering Idaho County
Idaho County, Idaho
Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
.
In Idaho County, US 12 continues south along the north bank of the Clearwater, crossing Nez Perce National Historical Park
Nez Perce National Historical Park
The Nez Perce National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park comprising 38 sites located throughout the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington which are the traditional aboriginal lands of the Nez Perce. The sites commemorate the history, culture, and stories of the...
. In the park, it passes a historical marker for two sites located about two miles away, commemorating the Lewis and Clark Long Camp of 1806 and the Asa Smith mission of 1839 to 1841. It then continues south along the north bank of the Clearwater, intersecting SH-13
Idaho State Highway 13
Idaho State Highway 13 is a state highway located entirely within in Idaho County, Idaho. SH 13 is and runs from its southern terminus at U.S. Route 95 in Grangeville to its northern terminus at U.S. Route 12 in Kooskia. In addition to those cities, SH 13 also serves the city of Stites and the...
across the river from Kooskia
Kooskia, Idaho
Kooskia is a city in Idaho County, Idaho, United States. The population was 675 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kooskia is located at ....
. It then turns east along the north bank of the Clearwater, passing a historical marker commemorating the camp of Nez Perce led by Looking Glass, and the July 1, 1877 attack by the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
that provoked Looking Glass to join the Nez Perce retreat with Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, popularly known as Chief Joseph, or Young Joseph was the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain band of Nez Perce during General Oliver O. Howard's attempt to forcibly remove his band and the other "non-treaty" Nez Perce to a reservation in Idaho...
. It continues east along the north bank of the Clearwater, leaving the Nez Perce reservation. US 12 then continues to Lowell, where it turns northeast along the north bank of the Lochsa River through the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
.
In the Rockies, US 12 passes historical markers for Whitehouse Pond, Lewis and Clark's crossing of the Lolo Trail in 1806, and their crossing of the Lolo Pass summit in 1805, before crossing Lolo Pass at the Montana state line.
History
US 12 was created in 1925 as part of the original system of United States highways. Its original western terminus was in Miles City, MontanaMiles City, Montana
Miles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. In 1962, the highway was extended west to Lewiston, ending at the former US 410
U.S. Route 410
U.S. Route 410 was one of the west–east state highways. It ran from an intersection with US 101 in Aberdeen, Washington to US 95 in Lewiston, Idaho. The route had concurrencies with SR 8, US 99, and US 395. Even though the number indicates that US 410 was a spur of U.S. Route 10, US 410 never...
. In 1967, it was extended to its current western terminus in Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
, with the Idaho section taking its current route.
Equipment shipments
U.S. Route 12 through Idaho has been proposed as a route for shipment of huge equipment from Lewiston, an inland portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
, to oil sands facilities near Fort McMurray, Alberta
Fort McMurray, Alberta
Fort McMurray is an urban service area in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Alberta, Canada. It was previously incorporated as a city on September 1, 1980. It became an urban service area when it amalgamated with Improvement District No. 143 on April 1, 1995 to create the Municipality...
and to a refinery in Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana
Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over...
. On two-lane portions of the road, the equipment, weighing as much as 300 tons and as much as 30 feet high and 24 feet wide would occupy the entire roadway. The route is preferable to other routes due to the lack of underpasses and the great distances involved. The alternative is transport across the Great Plains from Texas or New Orleans On U.S. 12 the major obstacle would be power lines which would have to be raised or buried. That and other alterations to the highway such as turnouts would be would be paid for by the companies. The trucks would transport only at night, moving short distances between places where they would pull off and let traffic pass. A permit granted by the Idaho Transportation Department
Idaho Transportation Department
The Idaho Transportation Department is the State of Idaho governmental organization responsible for the current transportation infrastructure. This includes ongoing operations and maintenance; as well as planning for future needs of the state and its citizens...
to ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips Company is an American multinational energy corporation with its headquarters located in the Energy Corridor district of Houston, Texas in the United States...
in August, 2010 is the subject of litigation initiated by householders along the route. On January 19, 2011 it was announced that the Idaho government would issue permits for four loads of refinery equipment to be transported from Lewiston to Billings.
The Port of Lewiston is the furthest inland seaport on the West Coast of the United States of America. It ships wheat, barley, legumes to Asia and the Sout Pacific as well as the Middle East and Africa.There are also inland seaports at the port of Clarkston, Washington and Port of Wilma in Whitman County, WA.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nez Perce Nez Perce County, Idaho Nez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe.... |
Lewiston Lewiston, Idaho Lewiston is a city in and also the county seat of Nez Perce County in the Pacific Northwest state of Idaho. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID - Clarkston, WA... |
0.00 | Washington state line | Western terminus; Continues into Washington |
| 2.590-2.620 |
Section 2: US-95 overlap
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nez Perce Nez Perce County, Idaho Nez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe.... |
Lewiston Lewiston, Idaho Lewiston is a city in and also the county seat of Nez Perce County in the Pacific Northwest state of Idaho. It is the second-largest city in the northern Idaho region, behind Coeur d'Alene and ninth-largest in the state. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID - Clarkston, WA... |
2.831; US 95 milepost 311.920 | 312 | Begin overlap with semi-limited access | |
| 10.130; US 95 milepost 304.980 | 304 | End overlap and semi-limited access |
Section 3: US 95 to Montana state line
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nez Perce Nez Perce County, Idaho Nez Perce County [Eng. pron. Nezz Purse] is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 39,265 at the 2010 Census. The county seat is Lewiston. The county is named for the Nez Percé tribe.... |
Spalding Spalding, Idaho Spalding is an unincorporated village in Nez Percé County, Idaho, United States, ten miles east of Lewiston, on the Clearwater River close to the intersection of U.S. Routes 95 and 12... |
14.870-14.950 | ||
| Orofino Orofino, Idaho Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County... |
43.980-44.393 | |||
| Lewis Lewis County, Idaho Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Established in 1911, it was named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis. The population was 3,821 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Nezperce, and Kamiah is the county's largest city.-Geography:... |
Greer Greer, Idaho Greer is an unincorporated community in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. Greer is located along the Clearwater River and Idaho State Highway 11 near the latter's junction with U.S. Route 12, southeast of Orofino.... |
51.568 | ||
| Kamiah Kamiah, Idaho Kamiah is a city in Idaho and Lewis counties in the U.S. state of Idaho. The largest city in Lewis County, it extends only a small distance into Idaho County. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census... |
66.220 | |||
| Idaho Idaho County, Idaho Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville... |
Kooskia Kooskia, Idaho Kooskia is a city in Idaho County, Idaho, United States. The population was 675 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kooskia is located at .... |
73.850 | ||
| Lolo Pass Lolo Pass (Idaho-Montana) Lolo Pass, elevation , is a mountain pass in the United States, in the Bitterroot Range of the northern Rocky Mountains. It is on the border between the states of Montana and Idaho, approximately west-southwest of Missoula, Montana.... |
174.410 | Montana Montana Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,... state line |
Eastern terminus; Continues into Montana |