Kootenai County Idaho Highway 97 – Bad Roads for RVs is located between Coeur d’Alene and Harrison along the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The road along the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene is narrow and while following the lake edge winds the for 25 miles — non-stop.
Assuming your destination is anywhere near Harrison you should instead use Interstate 90 followed by Idaho Highway 3 which although a longer route is probably faster than Idaho Highway 97 along the lake edge.
We traveled on Idaho Highway 97 on our way to Bell Bay Campground in August 2020.
Here is a link to our blog post about our time in northern Idaho. Stunning beauty in Northern Idaho
This is a link to the Idaho Department of Transportation interactive map. Idaho 511
Details
Elevation: 2130 feet
Length: 25 miles
Terrain: Follows east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene few short elevation changes of no consequence
Turns: Constant windy road for the northmost 25 miles
Restrictions: Maximum single axle vehicle length 48 feet. The semi-trailer length is less than 65 feet. Lengths over 65 feet require special permits and are only available for non-reducible loads.
Rest Stops & Turnouts: No Rest Stops and very few turnouts to allow faster traffic to pass.
Lanes: The road is two lanes wide for the entire length. Typically there is no shoulder. Crossing roads and driveways are common, but don’t lead to very far from the main route.
Runaway truck ramps: None, not required.
Kootenai County, Idaho Highway 97 – Bad Roads for RVs — Our experience
We traveled Idaho Highway 97 southbound in our 40-foot RV towing our car, which fit the description of a single axle of less than 48 feet and we regret it. On our return trip back to Coeur d’Alene, we took Idaho Highway 3 to Interstate 90.
We traveled the entire length at about 25 miles per hour.
Here is the link to our interactive map. Bad Roads for RVs