Origin
Buhl, ID
Evening in Buhl on Sunday
Local time
6:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buhl, ID to Caldwell, ID
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
144.3 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Liliana Drew
Trip Overview
Connecting Buhl to Caldwell, this 144.3-mile journey takes you through the heart of Idaho's Mountain West. Expect a driving time of approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget about $23 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you can anticipate a more hands-on driving experience. It serves as a straightforward transit between these two regional hubs, offering a consistent pace for those looking to traverse this part of the state in a single session.
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
72.2 miles from Buhl, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, favoring backroads over high-speed interstate travel. While you won't be dealing with a highway-heavy grind, you will spend the bulk of your time on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 127.3-mile stretch of your journey. Because the highway share is 0%, the route requires your full attention as you navigate North 1500 East and South 1950 East. The transition between these segments keeps the drive engaging, shifting from longer, sustained stretches to more technical local road segments as you approach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 127.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
3,280 ft
2,376 ft
Total Climb
862 ft
Total Descent
1,646 ft
Highest Point
3,280 ft
~30.1 mi in
Elevation Range
904 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Buhl, ID to Caldwell, ID is easy. At 2h 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
14.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
142.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 20, US 26 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 20, US 26 East
4
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
South 10th Avenue
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
144.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 127.3 mi | 2h 4m |
| North 1500 East | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| South 1950 East | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Clear Lakes Grade | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Blaine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 21st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 127.3 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buhl, ID and Caldwell, ID.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto ID 46
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
North 1500 East
3
Continue on ID 46
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Clear Lakes Grade
4
Turn straight onto ID 46
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
South 1950 East
5
Continue on ID 46
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Idaho Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
7
Merge onto I 84
127 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 20, US 26 East
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Franklin Road
10
Continue on North 21st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 21st Avenue
11
Turn right onto I 84 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Blaine Street
12
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
166 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 10th Avenue
13
Turn left
68 ft
·
6 sec
14
Turn right
79 ft
·
5 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 144.3-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your day without feeling rushed. You only need one planned stop to keep your energy up, making the 2-hour and 33-minute drive quite efficient. Be sure to fuel up before you depart, as the $23 cost estimate assumes a steady pace on these local roads. Since the route involves significant turns on secondary highways, try to avoid driving during low-visibility conditions or peak local traffic hours. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, keeping a physical map or reliable offline navigation handy will help you stay on course when navigating the transitions between North 1500 East and South 1950 East.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.2 miles from Buhl, ID, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.2 miles or 1h 19m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caldwell, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buhl, 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 Buhl, ID
This is one driving day of about 144.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buhl, 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 127.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.2 mi from Buhl, ID · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.2 miles from Buhl, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.3 miles.
Arriving in Caldwell, ID
The final approach into Caldwell, ID usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Caldwell, ID.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.87 one way
$45.73 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $24.04 | $48.07 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.06 | $64.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| Efficient EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.63 | $5.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.20 | $9.24 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Caldwell, ID
Evening in Caldwell on Sunday
Local time
6:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buhl, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 144.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, North 1500 East, South 1950 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.2 miles from Buhl, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.87 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Buhl, ID to Caldwell, ID is easy. At 2h 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (I 84 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Buhl, ID to Caldwell, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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