Requesting advice on the safest route from Spokane to Sandpoint

[BikePacker]

I have read that Idaho State Route 41 has no shoulders and has plenty of RV traffic this time of year.   Would it be safer taking U.S. 395/2 north out of Spokane or heading east towards Coeur d'Alene and then north on U.S. 95?
Thank you.

[JHamelman]

Check out the pdf maps available on these pages for some guidance.

Washington DOT, choose #6 - East Central:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/statemap.htm

Idaho DOT, choose "Shoulder width map" about the middle of the page:
http://www.itd.idaho.gov/bike_ped/bikeTouring.html

I hope this helps,
.Jennifer.

[BikePacker]

Many thanks, Jennifer. 
- Fred 
P.S. Received the maps last week for the N.T. to Minneapolis/thanks, as well.  They arrived in 4 days or less     
(to Atlanta ! :- ).

[EFarmer]

Fred -

I live just outside Spokane and could likely help you select a safe and scenic route.  Feel free to contact me and if I can't help you I certainly know enough people here who can.  Just drop me a message here at the site and I will get in touch.

Happy touring!

Eric F.

[dstory]

I hope you have already found a good answer to your question, but just in case.

You can ride the Centennial Trail all the way to CDA, then head up towards the trail on the east side of the highway.  It isn't nearly as amazing as the centennial trail, but it is certainly safe.  It eventually peters out, but you get far enough to be out of the CDA / Hayden traffic and it is really quite do-able.

That particular ride was my first day of my TransAm ride two years ago, so I have very fond memories of that.  The rest of my ride made me realize what a gem we have in the Centennial Trail. 

[johnsondasw]

This is a great forum.  Not knowing any better, I've ridden it on Hwy 2 twice, once in 1980 and once in 2003.  It was fine, but I'm sure the advice here is much superior.  Next time a'm going to go some new area, I'll check here first.

[jphatcher]

I live in North Spokane and have riden to Sandpoint about anyway you can.  My recommendation would be to ride from Spokane, North along the Elk-Chattaroy road, up to the Blanchard Rd that goes East across Blanchard Pass into Idaho.  Then, North toward the town of Oldtown, Idaho.  There you meet up with US Highway 2, along the Pend Orielle river go East to Sandpoint.