The border between Lewiston Hill and the Palouse is at an approximate elevation of 2,756 feet (840 m) above sea level, as measured at a rest area at the junction of U.S.

It was the primary route north for sixty years, and received an award as one of the best-engineered stretches of mountain highway at the time.

The 1950s rock and roll hit by singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan titled "Hot Rod Lincoln" tells of an actual race on that hill.

The lyrics of the song were changed variously to say San Pedro or The Grapevine in later versions, but the Ryan claimed at later performances that he was inspired by Lewiston Hill.

[6] Constructed from 1975 to 1977, it yields a straighter and steeper sweeping "Z" descent to the east, then back to the southwest, and is approximately seven miles (11 km) in length.