Origin
Caldwell, ID
Evening in Caldwell on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caldwell, ID to Idaho Falls, ID
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
304 mi
489 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Liliana Drew
Idaho Falls, ID
Wal Saravia
Trip Overview
Spanning 304 miles across the Mountain West, the trek from Caldwell to Idaho Falls typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes of drive time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $47 on fuel, though your actual costs may vary depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate via Cleveland Boulevard, South 10th Avenue, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route is straightforward enough to handle in one go while leaving you plenty of time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be managing frequent turns rather than sustained high-speed travel. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Cleveland Boulevard, your focus remains consistently engaged as you navigate through the local road network. This profile creates a more technical driving experience than a standard freeway commute. Prepare for a steady pace as you transition between the various local thoroughfares that connect these two Idaho hubs.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cleveland Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Caldwell, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 10th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Idaho Falls | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 15 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Sunnyside Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Stonebrook Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Stone Run Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Cleveland Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Idaho Falls, ID.
1
Start on the route
92 ft
·
12 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Cleveland Boulevard
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cleveland Boulevard
3
Turn right
141 ft
·
13 sec
4
Turn right
151 ft
·
13 sec
5
Turn right onto South 10th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 10th Avenue
6
Take the ramp slight right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight right to continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
172 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Continue straight
63 mi
·
59 min
10
Keep slight left to continue on Idaho Falls
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
Idaho Falls
11
Merge slight right
43 mi
·
40 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
13
Turn right onto West Sunnyside Road
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Sunnyside Road
14
Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane
466 ft
·
15 sec
·
Stonebrook Lane
15
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
243 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Stone Run Lane
16
Turn left onto Charleston Lane
151 ft
·
7 sec
·
Charleston Lane
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-stop journey, plan your single break strategically to break up the four-hour duration. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid traffic buildup on the more localized sections of the route. Keep your $47 fuel budget in mind as you map out your stops, ensuring you have enough cushion for refueling at a convenient interval. Because the road is characterized by frequent turns, pay close attention to navigation cues rather than relying solely on cruise control. Maintaining a flexible schedule will help you navigate the turn-heavy segments comfortably and arrive in Idaho Falls refreshed.
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 152 miles from Caldwell, ID, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Idaho Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, ID
This is one driving day of about 304 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Caldwell, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 152 mi from Caldwell, ID · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 152 miles from Caldwell, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Idaho Falls, ID
The final approach into Idaho Falls, 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 Idaho Falls, ID.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.17 one way
$96.35 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $50.64 | $101.28 |
| premium | $4.53 | $54.21 | $108.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $67.54 | $135.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.2 | 1 | $31.92 | $14.59 |
| Efficient EV | 76 | 0 | $26.60 | $12.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.6 | 1 | $42.56 | $19.46 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Idaho Falls, ID
Evening in Idaho Falls on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Caldwell, ID to Idaho Falls, ID covers 304 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cleveland Boulevard, South 10th Avenue, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 152 miles from Caldwell, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Caldwell, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Caldwell, ID to Idaho Falls, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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