Origin
Idaho Falls, ID
Late night in Idaho Falls on Saturday
Local time
4:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Idaho Falls, ID to Challis, ID
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
150.2 mi
242 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Idaho Falls, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Idaho Falls to Challis is 150.2 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via US 93, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, traversing Idaho for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive that offers a blend of highway speeds and more varied road conditions as you head north. It's a straightforward, single-day journey perfect for a quick connection between these two Idaho locales.
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
75.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 150.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route features a 52% highway share, meaning you'll experience stretches of faster travel mixed with more local road driving. The longest uninterrupted drive segment clocks in at 78.7 miles, primarily on US 93. The 'Idaho Medal of Honor Highway' and 'West Arco Highway' also contribute to the drive's character, suggesting a progression through varied landscapes and possibly changes in road surface and speed limits. It's a mixed drive that keeps things interesting without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 93 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Stone Run Lane.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Idaho Falls, ID to Challis, ID is easy. At 2h 58m with 52% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Stone Run Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Stonebrook Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Stone Run Lane
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Stonebrook Lane
Turn left onto Stonebrook Lane
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Sunnyside Road
Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road
Navigation decision point
4
149.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
East Valley Avenue
Turn left onto East Valley Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
150.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
South 7th Street
Turn right onto South 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 93 | 78.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | 42 mi | 46m |
| West Arco Highway | 19.6 mi | 21m |
| West Sunnyside Road | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| South 45th West | 2 mi | 3m |
| West 33rd South | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Front Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Broadway Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 78.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Idaho Falls, ID and Challis, ID.
1
Start on Charleston Lane
152 ft
·
8 sec
·
Charleston Lane
2
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
241 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Stone Run Lane
3
Turn left onto Stonebrook Lane
466 ft
·
20 sec
·
Stonebrook Lane
4
Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Sunnyside Road
5
Continue on West 33rd South
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West 33rd South
6
Turn right onto South 45th West
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South 45th West
7
Turn left onto US 20
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
8
Continue on US 20
20 mi
·
21 min
·
West Arco Highway
9
Continue on US 20
42 mi
·
46 min
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
10
Continue on US 20; US 26
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Front Street
11
Continue on US 93
79 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
US 93
12
Turn left onto East Valley Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Valley Avenue
13
Turn right onto South 7th Street
330 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 7th Street
14
Turn right
135 ft
·
9 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving Idaho Falls in the morning will give you ample time to reach Challis and still have the afternoon free. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant town could be around 78.7 miles. While there's only one designated stop, you might find smaller services along the way if needed. This is an easy one-day trip, so consider departing mid-morning to enjoy a relaxed start.
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 75.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.7 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 27m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Challis, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Idaho Falls, 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 Idaho Falls, ID
This is one driving day of about 150.2 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Idaho Falls, 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 US 93 for about 78.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.1 mi from Idaho Falls, ID · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 93 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
Arriving in Challis, ID
The final approach into Challis, 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 Challis, 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
$23.80 one way
$47.60 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
| premium | $4.53 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.16 | $66.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.77 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.14 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.03 | $9.61 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Challis, ID
Late night in Challis on Saturday
Local time
4:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
21°F
Mostly Clear
W 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 10:00PM MDT until April 18 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Boise ID
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 17 at 1:16PM MDT until April 18 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
60°F
Carey, ID
75 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.
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
42 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
2h 58m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Idaho Falls, ID to Challis, ID covers 150.2 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 93, Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, West Arco Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.1 miles from Idaho Falls, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.80 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 Idaho Falls, ID to Challis, ID is easy. At 2h 58m with 52% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Stone Run Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Stonebrook Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Idaho Falls, ID to Challis, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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