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Trip from Boise, ID to American Falls, ID

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

210.2 mi

338 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 13m ★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and state capital of Idaho, United States

Boise, ID

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown American Falls, ID, ID

American Falls, ID

Deep Nature Relaxation

Trip Overview

The drive from Boise, ID to American Falls, ID covers 210.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, I 86, South Broadway Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 166.5 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.31 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

105.1 miles from Boise, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway 166.5 mi 2h 36m
I 86 36.4 mi 34m
South Broadway Avenue 2.8 mi 5m
South Frontage Road 2.1 mi 3m
West Myrtle Street 0.6 mi 1m
Fort Hall Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Lincoln Street 0.4 mi <1m
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway — 166.5 mi, about 2h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boise, ID and American Falls, ID.

1

Start on this road

118 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn right

263 ft · 21 sec
3

Turn right onto South 6th Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · South 6th Street
4

Turn left onto US 20; US 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Myrtle Street
5

Turn right onto US 20; US 26

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Broadway Avenue
6

Take the ramp onto US 20; US 26

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Toward I 84 East Use the left lane.
7

Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30

166 mi · 2 hr 36 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 86; US 30

36 mi · 34 min · I 86; US 30
9

Take the exit onto I 86 Business

0.2 mi · 29 sec · I 86 Business
Toward I 86 Business, ID 37: Rockland, American Falls
10

Turn left onto I 86 Business

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Frontage Road
11

Continue on I 86 Business

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Lincoln Street
12

Continue on I 86 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · Fort Hall Avenue
13

Turn left

175 ft · 12 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105.1 miles from Boise, ID, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.5 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 46 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 105.1 miles or 1h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near American Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Boise, ID so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Boise, ID

This is one driving day of about 210.2 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Boise, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 166.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Gooding County, Idaho, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gooding, ID

105 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Glenns Ferry, ID

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gooding, ID

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.1 miles from Boise, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Moon's Kitchen Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boise, Idaho

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12083850472

Visit website

Owyhee Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boise, Idaho

0.3 mi

Avery Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boise, Idaho

0.3 mi

Moon's Kitchen Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12083850472

Visit website

Owyhee Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12086390440

Visit website

Avery Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12089003210

Visit website

Modern Bar and Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 4–9 pm

+12086391110

Visit website

Food Land Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12084242022

Visit website

Luciano's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12085776415

Visit website

Chiang Mai House Thai Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12083424051

A Taste of Texas

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45

Mountain Home, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+12085858637

Visit website

Planet Kid Indoor Playground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 9:30 am–7 pm

+12083763641

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 45

Mountain Home, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 105.1

Wendell, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 120.1

Jerome, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 210.2

American Falls, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 120.1

Twin Falls, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 120.1

Twin Falls, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 120.1

Twin Falls, Idaho

+18888074522

Visit website

Clockwise Escape Room Boise

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 2–10 pm

+12083983411

Visit website

Boise River Walk

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

Veterans Memorial Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12086087644

Visit website

Bodies In Motion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Boise, Idaho

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+12083810587

Visit website

Twin Falls Visitor Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 120.1

Twin Falls, Idaho

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12087333974

Visit website

Minidoka County Historical Society Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 165.1

Rupert, Idaho

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12084360336

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 206.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 6th Street

Turn right onto South 6th Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 20; US 26 / West Myrtle Street

Turn left onto US 20; US 26 / West Myrtle Street

Navigation decision point

6
3.7 mi into trip | ~8m in | US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

Take the ramp onto US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway toward I 84 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 84 East
5
206.9 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | I 86 Business

Take the exit onto I 86 Business toward I 86 Business, ID 37: Rockland, American Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 86 Business, ID 37: Rockland, American...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.31 one way

$66.62 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $34.91 $69.83
premium $4.53 $37.50 $74.99
diesel $5.61 $46.41 $92.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.1 0 $22.07 $10.09
Efficient EV 52.6 0 $18.39 $8.41
EV Truck/SUV 84.1 1 $29.43 $13.45

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Boise, ID

Afternoon in Boise on Saturday

Local time

1:27 PM

MDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

American Falls, ID

Afternoon in American Falls on Saturday

Local time

1:27 PM

MDT

Current temp

27°F

Mostly Clear

SW 8 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:24AM MDT until April 18 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 1:24AM MDT until April 18 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

35 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 24m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

210.2 mi in 3h 24m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.5 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 24m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 20; US 26 / West Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Boise, ID

Full guide →

Boise is the capital and largest city of Idaho. Boise offers numerous recreational opportunities, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills to the immediate north of downtown. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, and is home to several museums.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 210.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (17%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 166.5 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ID can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 20; US 26 / West Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at American Falls, ID, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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