Trip from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID

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

Drive Time

9h 36m

Distance

436.2 mi

702 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

EV Charging

Good

10 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

9h 27m ★

6 AM

9h 36m

8 AM

9h 53m

10 AM

9h 42m

12 PM

9h 40m

3 PM

9h 43m

5 PM

9h 52m

8 PM

9h 31m

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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Coeur d'Alene, ID

Ghassan Hani

Sun Valley, ID

Sergio Zhukov

Trip Overview

The drive from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID covers 436.2 miles and takes about 9h 36m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 90, US Highway 93 South, Salmon River Scenic Byway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 159.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $69.12 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

218.1 miles from Coeur d'Alene, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 9h 36m highway drive covering 436.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US Highway 93 South. The longest continuous stretch is about 159.4 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 159.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US Highway 93 South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North 7th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (North 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 90): Navigation decision point; at 161.1 miles (I 90 Business; US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 7th Street

Turn right onto North 7th Street

Navigation decision point

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90

Take the ramp onto I 90 toward I 90 East

Navigation decision point

Toward I 90 East

161.1 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | I 90 Business; US 93

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 93 toward US 93 South: Hamilton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 93 South: Hamilton

161.3 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | I 90 Bus; US 93 / North Reserve Street

Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 93 / North Reserve Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

166.6 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | Brooks Street

Turn right onto Brooks Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	159.4 mi	2h 45m
US Highway 93 South	128.1 mi	2h 48m
Salmon River Scenic Byway	96.4 mi	2h 3m
Trail Creek Road	36.3 mi	1h 27m
North Reserve Street	5.3 mi	9m
Bitteroot Road	3 mi	3m
Old Chilly Road	2.7 mi	6m
Sherman Avenue	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 159.4 mi, about 2h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Sun Valley, ID.

Start on East Garden Avenue

0.2 mi · 43 sec · East Garden Avenue

Turn right onto North 7th Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North 7th Street

Turn left onto Sherman Avenue

1.2 mi · 1 min · Sherman Avenue

Take the ramp onto I 90

159 mi · 2 hr 45 min · I 90

Toward I 90 East

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 93

0.2 mi · 26 sec · I 90 Business; US 93

Toward US 93 South: Hamilton

Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 93

5.3 mi · 9 min · North Reserve Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Brooks Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Brooks Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 12; US 93

3.0 mi · 3 min · Bitteroot Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 12; US 93

128 mi · 2 hr 48 min · US Highway 93 South

Continue on US 93

4.5 mi · 6 min · Salmon River Scenic Byway

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto US 93

488 ft · 8 sec · Courthouse Drive

Continue on US 93

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto US 93

0.4 mi · 36 sec · South Challis Street

Continue on US 93

92 mi · 1 hr 56 min · Salmon River Scenic Byway

Turn right

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Continue on Old Chilly Road

2.7 mi · 6 min · Old Chilly Road

Turn right onto Trail Creek Road

36 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Trail Creek Road

Continue on ID 75 Spur

0.9 mi · 2 min · Sun Valley Road

Turn left onto Moritz Road

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Moritz Road

Turn right onto Inn Entry Lane

290 ft · 12 sec · Inn Entry Lane

Arrive at destination

Inn Entry Lane

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 218.1 miles from Coeur d'Alene, ID, or about 4h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

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

First stop

Around 96 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 218.1 miles or 4h 7m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 218.1 miles or 4h 7m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 33m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Coeur d'Alene, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Coeur d'Alene, ID

Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Sun Valley, ID

Aim for roughly 218 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Coeur d'Alene, ID.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 159.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 218.1 mi from Coeur d'Alene, ID · 4h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Hamilton, MT

218 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Hamilton, MT

Overnight Options

Night 1

Hamilton, MT

218 mi · about 4.8h in

A practical overnight split lands near Hamilton, MT after about 218 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Thompson Falls, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hamilton, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 218.1 miles from Coeur d'Alene, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 218 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.

Arriving in Sun Valley, ID

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Sun Valley, ID with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Fine Brewed Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+12082924686

Visit website

Café Carambola

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

0.7 mi

Jasper's Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

St Regis, Montana

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Vault Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12089664193

Visit website

Anchored Coffee Company Ironwood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

1.5 mi

Inland Café & Tea

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

2.8 mi

Fine Brewed Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+12082924686

Visit website

Café Carambola

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12086768784

Visit website

Jasper's Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 93.5

St Regis, Montana

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+14066492473

Visit website

Bakery By The Lake At Parkside

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12084150681

Visit website

The Lanai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12086674492

Visit website

Ten/6

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+12086266106

Visit website

Sun Valley Club

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 436.2

Sun Valley, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12086222919

Visit website

The Garnet Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12086672729

Visit website

Vault Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12089664193

Visit website

Anchored Coffee Company Ironwood

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+12085512388

Visit website

Inland Café & Tea

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12087717272

Visit website

HardTail Café

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 155.8

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14068303182

Visit website

Glen's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 186.9

Florence, Montana

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+14062732534

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 93.5

St Regis, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 93.5

St Regis, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 155.8

Missoula, Montana

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 31.2

Smelterville, Idaho

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 155.8

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 186.9

Stevensville, Montana

+14067775552

Visit website

Museum of North Idaho

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12086643448

Visit website

Riverstone Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$69.12 one way

$138.24 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 153 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$72.45	$144.91
premium	$4.53	$77.81	$155.62
diesel	$5.61	$96.31	$192.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$69

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$199–$309

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 152.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

Blink Charging Station

Ketchum, Idaho

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Missoula, Montana

Tesla

1 DCFC

Rivian Adventure Network

St Regis, Montana

Rivian

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

St Regis, Montana

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Missoula, Montana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Smelterville, Idaho

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Sun Valley, Idaho

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink: 2 Tesla: 2 Rivian: 1 ChargePoint: 1 Electrify America: 1 Tesla Destination: 1 Other: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	130.9	1	$45.80	$20.94
Efficient EV	109.1	1	$38.17	$17.45
EV Truck/SUV	174.5	2	$61.07	$27.92

Gas CO2

153 kg

EV CO2

51 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Evening in Coeur d'Alene on Friday

Local time

7:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sun Valley, ID

Evening in Sun Valley on Friday

Local time

8:56 PM

MDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Hamilton, MT

218 mi in

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

7 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

9h 36m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID covers 436.2 miles and takes about 9h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, US Highway 93 South, Salmon River Scenic Byway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 218 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 218.1 miles from Coeur d'Alene, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $69.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

The route from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Sun Valley, ID to Coeur d'Alene, ID

Plan the drive back the other way.

436.4 mi 9h 38m

Explore more options from Coeur d'Alene, ID or browse trips ending in Sun Valley, ID.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ID road trips.

Trip from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Sun Valley, ID

Nearby Places

Fine Brewed Cafe

Vault Coffee

Fine Brewed Cafe

Café Carambola

Jasper's Restaurant

Bakery By The Lake At Parkside

The Lanai

Ten/6

Sun Valley Club

The Garnet Cafe

Vault Coffee

Anchored Coffee Company Ironwood

Inland Café & Tea

HardTail Café

Glen's Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Adventure Network

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Red E Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Timberline Adventures

McEuen Park

Fort Sherman Playground

Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises

Coeur d'Alene Convention & Visitor Bureau

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

Museum of North Idaho

Riverstone Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Sun Valley, ID

1 hour later

7 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 36m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Coeur d'Alene, ID to Sun Valley, ID?

How this page is built

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