Trip from Idaho Falls, ID to Parma, ID

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, I 86, Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 159.6 miles from Idaho Falls, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.58 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

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.

Drive Time

5h 16m

Distance

319.2 mi

514 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 3m ★

6 AM

5h 16m

8 AM

5h 43m

10 AM

5h 25m

12 PM

5h 23m

3 PM

5h 27m

5 PM

5h 42m

8 PM

5h 8m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Idaho Falls, ID to Parma, ID covers 319.2 miles and takes about 5h 16m 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, Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 194.9 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.58 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

159.6 miles from Idaho Falls, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 16m drive with frequent turns across 319.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 16 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 194.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

4,704 ft 2,231 ft

Total Climb

703 ft

Total Descent

3,177 ft

Highest Point

4,704 ft

Elevation Range

2,473 ft

Notable High Points

4,616 ft at ~45.6 miles +103 ft prominence

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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Stone Run Lane.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 16m drive. You will face about 7 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 (West Stone Run Lane): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Stonebrook Lane): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These 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

6

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 15 BUS; US 26

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26 toward Blackfook, Pocatello, Salt Lake City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Blackfook, Pocatello, Salt Lake City

6

46.2 mi into trip | ~45m in

Take the exit toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 72 Toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls

9

304.6 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in | US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

Take the exit onto US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway toward US 20, US 26: Notus, Parma

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 26 Toward US 20, US 26: Notus, Parma

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Idaho Falls, ID to Parma, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Twin Falls along the way.

Twin Falls

46.2 mi in | ~45m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway	194.9 mi	3h 8m
I 86	62.7 mi	59m
Veterans Memorial Highway	43.1 mi	40m
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway	12.4 mi	18m
West Sunnyside Road	2.7 mi	3m
Elgin Street	1.7 mi	2m
East Grove Avenue	0.7 mi	<1m
I 15 BUS	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway — 194.9 mi, about 3h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Idaho Falls, ID and Parma, 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

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26

0.2 mi · 31 sec · I 15 BUS; US 26

Toward Blackfook, Pocatello, Salt Lake City

6

Merge onto I 15; US 26

43 mi · 40 min · Veterans Memorial Highway

7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 43 sec

Exit 72 Toward I 86 West: Chubbuck, Twin Falls

8

Continue on I 86

63 mi · 59 min · I 86

9

Continue on I 84; US 30

195 mi · 3 hr 8 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

11

Take the exit onto US 20; US 26

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

Exit 26 Toward US 20, US 26: Notus, Parma Use the slight right lane.

12

Continue on US 20; US 26

4.7 mi · 6 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

13

Continue on US 20; US 26

1.7 mi · 2 min · Elgin Street

14

Continue on US 20; US 26

7.3 mi · 10 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

15

Continue on US 95; US 20; US 26

0.7 mi · 48 sec · East Grove Avenue

16

Arrive at destination

US 95; US 20; US 26

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 159.6 miles from Idaho Falls, ID, or about 2h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.9 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 80 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 159.6 miles or 2h 34m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parma, 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 319.2 miles and 5h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 194.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 159.6 mi from Idaho Falls, ID · 2h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Twin Falls, ID

160 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

Pocatello, ID

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Twin Falls, ID

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.6 miles from Idaho Falls, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 194.9 miles.

Arriving in Parma, ID

The final approach into Parma, 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 Parma, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

National Monument

During the Pliocene, this place looked quite different. Lush wetlands, forests, and grasslands provided excellent habitat for a variety of animals. From fascinating, now-extinct creatures like the sab...

7 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 187.1

Caution: Use Caution with "Fossil Beds Information" Signs

Caution: If You Can't Reach Us By Phone, Please Email Us

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.58 one way

$101.16 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.23	$53.17	$106.34
premium	$4.53	$56.92	$113.83
diesel	$5.64	$70.92	$141.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.8	1	$33.52	$15.32
Efficient EV	79.8	0	$27.93	$12.77
EV Truck/SUV	127.7	1	$44.69	$20.43

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

37 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 data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Idaho Falls, ID

Afternoon in Idaho Falls on Sunday

Local time

4:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SSW 13 to 23 mph 71% chance Live forecast

Destination

Parma, ID

Afternoon in Parma on Sunday

Local time

4:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

56°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

W 3 to 14 mph 88% chance 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

6 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

5h 16m 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 Idaho Falls, ID to Parma, ID covers 319.2 miles and takes about 5h 16m 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, Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 159.6 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 $50.58 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 5h 16m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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 2.9 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Idaho Falls, ID to Parma, ID, road signs begin pointing toward Twin Falls along the way.