Origin
Caldwell, ID
Morning in Caldwell on Friday
Local time
6:33 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caldwell, ID to Blackfoot, ID
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
279.1 mi
449 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Blackfoot, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Caldwell, ID to Blackfoot, ID covers 279.1 miles and takes about 4h 32m 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, I 15 BUS for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 193.2 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.23 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.6 miles from Caldwell, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 279.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Caldwell, ID to Blackfoot, ID covers 279.1 miles and takes about 4h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 193.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 22.2 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
257.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Idaho Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Idaho Falls
5
277.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 26, ID 39: Blackfoot, Arco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 26, ID 39: Blackfoot, Arco
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Caldwell, ID to Blackfoot, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Idaho Falls
257.2 mi in
|
~4h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 193.2 mi | 3h 6m |
| I 86 | 62.7 mi | 59m |
| I 15 BUS | 19.8 mi | 18m |
| South 10th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Judicial Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Bergener Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Ash Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Bridge Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 193.2 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Blackfoot, ID.
1
Start on this road
90 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto I 84 Business
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cleveland Boulevard
3
Turn right
141 ft
·
12 sec
4
Turn right
150 ft
·
12 sec
5
Turn right onto South 10th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 10th Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30
172 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 86; US 30
63 mi
·
59 min
·
I 86; US 30
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Idaho Falls
11
Merge onto I 15 BUS
20 mi
·
18 min
·
I 15 BUS
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 26, ID 39: Blackfoot, Arco
13
Keep slight right at fork
429 ft
·
10 sec
14
Turn straight onto I 15 Business
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergener Boulevard
15
Continue on I 15 Business
450 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Bridge Street
16
Continue on I 15 Business
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
West Judicial Street
17
Turn left onto South Ash Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Ash Street
18
Turn right onto West Pacific Street
333 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Pacific Street
19
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
156 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Broadway Street
20
Turn left
35 ft
·
2 sec
21
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 139.6 miles from Caldwell, ID, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.2 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 61 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 18m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blackfoot, 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 279.1 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 193.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.6 mi from Caldwell, ID · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.6 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 193.2 miles.
Arriving in Blackfoot, ID
The final approach into Blackfoot, 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 Blackfoot, 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
$44.23 one way
$88.45 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $46.36 | $92.72 |
| premium | $4.53 | $49.79 | $99.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.62 | $123.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.31 | $13.40 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.42 | $11.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.6 | 1 | $39.07 | $17.86 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Blackfoot, ID
Morning in Blackfoot on Friday
Local time
6:33 AM
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
23 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 32m 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 Blackfoot, ID covers 279.1 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, I 86, I 15 BUS. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.6 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 $44.23 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 22.2 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Caldwell, ID to Blackfoot, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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