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Create accountDrive Time
3h 31m
Distance
179 mi
288 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Liliana Drew
Sun Valley, ID
Sergio Zhukov
Traveling from Caldwell to Sun Valley covers 179 miles through the Mountain West, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, though you might prefer an overnight stay to fully enjoy your destination. Budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the trip. You will navigate via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, and the Sun Valley Highway. Since both locations are within Idaho, you remain in the same region, ensuring a familiar transition as you move from the valley toward the mountains.
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
89.5 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Expect a dynamic experience behind the wheel, as only 15% of this route consists of traditional highway driving. Much of the journey feels like a technical local drive, requiring your full attention through frequent turns and shifts in terrain. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 66.8 miles along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. As you transition between the designated highways, the road character evolves from wider, predictable paths to more winding, localized segments. It is a drive that demands engagement, steering you away from the monotony of long, straight interstates.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
808 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
3,184 ft
~59.7 mi in
Elevation Range
808 ft
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 near I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 31m drive. You will face about 11 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 (I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto I 84 Business / Cleveland Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 20 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway toward US 20, I 84 Business: Mountain Home, Fairfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Caldwell, ID to Sun Valley, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.
Fairfield
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 66.8 mi | 1h 8m |
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | 42.2 mi | 49m |
| Sun Valley Highway | 40.8 mi | 47m |
| ID 75 | 26.2 mi | 39m |
| East Sun Valley Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| South 10th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Moritz Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Inn Entry Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Sun Valley, ID.
Start on this road
Turn left onto I 84 Business
Turn right
Turn right
Turn right onto South 10th Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30
Take the exit onto US 20
Continue on I 84 Business; US 20
Continue on I 84 Business; US 20
Continue on US 20
Turn left onto ID 75
Turn right onto ID 75 Spur
Turn right onto Moritz Road
Turn right onto Inn Entry Lane
Arrive at destination
Since this 179-mile trek is relatively manageable, aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive in Sun Valley. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more physically demanding than a standard interstate cruise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $28 estimate assumes steady driving conditions, which may fluctuate depending on how you navigate the local sections. Because you have the flexibility of a one-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time to avoid potential traffic bottlenecks. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your rest stop after completing the 66.8-mile stretch on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway to reset before tackling the more technical portions of the drive.
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.
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 89.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sun Valley, ID than in the middle of the route.
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 179 miles and 3h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.5 mi from Caldwell, ID · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 89.5 miles from Caldwell, 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 66.8 miles.
The final approach into Sun Valley, 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 Sun Valley, ID.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.37 one way
$56.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $29.82 | $59.63 |
| premium | $4.53 | $31.92 | $63.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.77 | $79.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.66 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Caldwell on Sunday
Local time
5:41 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Evening in Sun Valley on Sunday
Local time
5:41 PM
MDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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