Origin
Ketchum, ID
Evening in Ketchum on Sunday
Local time
8:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ketchum, ID to Boise, ID
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
152.9 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ketchum, ID
cottonbro studio
Boise, ID
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ketchum to Boise covers 152.9 miles across the Mountain West, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a straightforward road trip. Budgeting approximately $24 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trek. Since you will be navigating via the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, Sun Valley Highway, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, expect a transition from high-country mountain settings to the Boise metropolitan area. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer to linger along the way. Overall, this trip offers a manageable and efficient path between these two Idaho hubs.
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
76.5 miles from Ketchum, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway share. The road requires your full attention, offering a more hands-on feel behind the wheel than a standard freeway trek. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.3 miles along the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, which provides a bit of rhythm before the route shifts character again. Because this is not a monotonous interstate grind, you should prepare for a varied pace that demands engagement with local road conditions. This drive is best suited for those who prefer navigating scenic, winding paths over the predictable nature of major expressways.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,546 ft
2,699 ft
Total Climb
369 ft
Total Descent
3,216 ft
Highest Point
5,546 ft
~6.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,847 ft
Notable High Points
5,139 ft at ~70.1 miles
+98 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 ID 75 Spur / East Sun Valley Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 10 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 (ID 75 Spur / East Sun Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 108.7 miles (US 20 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles (US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
|
ID 75 Spur / East Sun Valley Road
Turn left onto ID 75 Spur / East Sun Valley Road
Navigation decision point
6
108.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
US 20 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Take the ramp onto US 20 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway toward I 84 West, US 20 West, US 26 West, US 30 West: Boise
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 84 West, US 20 West, US 26 West, US 30...
6
149.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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: Broadway Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward US 20, US 26: Broadway Avenue
9
149.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway toward US 20, US 26: Boise State University, City Center:Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 20, US 26: Boise State University, Ci...
5
149.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 20; US 26 / South Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto US 20; US 26 / South Broadway Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | 42.3 mi | 49m |
| Sun Valley Highway | 40.8 mi | 47m |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | 40.1 mi | 37m |
| North Main Street | 26.2 mi | 39m |
| South Broadway Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| East Front Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Sun Valley Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
— 42.3 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ketchum, ID and Boise, ID.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto ID 75 Spur
154 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Sun Valley Road
3
Turn left onto ID 75
26 mi
·
39 min
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto US 20
42 mi
·
48 min
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
5
Continue on US 20
41 mi
·
47 min
·
Sun Valley Highway
6
Take the ramp onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Toward I 84 West, US 20 West, US 26 West, US 30 West: Boise
7
Merge onto I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
40 mi
·
37 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit onto US 20; US 26
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Exit 54
Toward US 20, US 26: Broadway Avenue
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 20; US 26
438 ft
·
12 sec
·
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Toward US 20, US 26: Boise State University, City Center:Convention Center
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto US 20; US 26
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Broadway Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Front Street
12
Turn right
55 ft
·
4 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3-hour journey is simple, though you should factor in at least one planned stop to break up the drive comfortably. Since you are navigating local roads, try to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility for the many turns ahead. Keep your $24 fuel budget in mind by checking your levels before you depart Ketchum, as service intervals may fluctuate on these local highways. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your schedule based on traffic or your own pace. A smart tip for this specific route is to treat the 42.3-mile stretch on the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway as your primary opportunity to settle into a steady driving flow before the route’s character changes again.
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 76.5 miles from Ketchum, ID, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boise, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ketchum, 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 Ketchum, ID
This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ketchum, 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 Idaho Medal of Honor Highway for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.5 mi from Ketchum, ID · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from Ketchum, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Boise, ID
The final approach into Boise, 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 Boise, 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
$24.23 one way
$48.46 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $25.47 | $50.94 |
| premium | $4.53 | $27.26 | $54.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.97 | $67.94 |
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: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
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
Boise, ID
Evening in Boise on Sunday
Local time
8:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
30°F
Sun Valley, ID
76 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
10 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
3h 1m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ketchum, ID to Boise, ID covers 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, Sun Valley Highway, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.5 miles from Ketchum, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.23 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ID 75 Spur / East Sun Valley Road): Navigation decision point; at 108.7 miles (US 20 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles (US 20; US 26 / Idaho Medal of Honor Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ketchum, ID to Boise, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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