Trip from Malad City, ID to Idaho Falls, ID

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

107.1 mi

172 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 38m ★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Idaho Falls, ID, ID

Idaho Falls, ID

Wal Saravia

Trip Overview

Connecting Malad City to Idaho Falls, this 107.1-mile journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting around $17 for fuel should cover your travel costs, leaving you with plenty of flexibility for your schedule. You will navigate through the Mountain West, transitioning between two Idaho hubs via a route that relies on local roads rather than major interstates. It is a practical, efficient drive that gets you from point A to point B without any mandatory stops required along the way.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

53.5 miles from Malad City, ID

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, favoring local thoroughfares like Veterans Memorial Highway, Bannock Street, and West Sunnyside Road. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 102.4 miles—on Veterans Memorial Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The road's personality is defined by these technical, winding local segments, so be prepared for constant adjustments rather than just cruising in a straight line. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged as you navigate the regional terrain.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Veterans Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 102.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

5,475 ft 4,436 ft

Total Climb

1,467 ft

Total Descent

1,313 ft

Highest Point

5,475 ft

~13.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,039 ft

Notable High Points

5,475 ft at ~13.4 miles +627 ft prominence
4,815 ft at ~22.3 miles +2 ft prominence
4,770 ft at ~31.2 miles +49 ft prominence
4,629 ft at ~49.1 miles +69 ft prominence
4,693 ft at ~58 miles +74 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Bannock Street.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Malad City, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is easy. At 1h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Bannock Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 104 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 9 key points

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

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Bannock Street

At end of road, turn left onto Bannock Street

Navigation decision point

4
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

5
104 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | I 15 BUS; US 26

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26 toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson

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

Toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
5
107 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | West Stone Run Lane

Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane

Navigation decision point

5
107 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | Charleston Lane

Turn left onto Charleston Lane

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway 102.4 mi 1h 37m
West Sunnyside Road 2.6 mi 3m
Bannock Street 0.5 mi <1m
50 Street South 0.3 mi <1m
50 North 0.3 mi <1m
I 15 BUS 0.3 mi <1m
200 West 0.2 mi <1m
Stonebrook Lane <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Veterans Memorial Highway — 102.4 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Malad City, ID and Idaho Falls, ID.

1

Start on 200 West

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 200 West
2

At end of road, turn left onto Bannock Street

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Bannock Street
3

Turn left onto ID 38

0.3 mi · 29 sec · 50 North
4

Continue on ID 38; US 191 Old

0.3 mi · 37 sec · 50 Street South
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
6

Merge onto I 15

102 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
7

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 15 BUS; US 26
Toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
8

Turn right onto I 15 BUS; US 26

2.6 mi · 3 min · West Sunnyside Road
9

Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane

466 ft · 14 sec · Stonebrook Lane
10

Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane

241 ft · 16 sec · West Stone Run Lane
11

Turn left onto Charleston Lane

152 ft · 6 sec · Charleston Lane
12

Arrive at destination

Charleston Lane

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 107.1-mile trek, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning or afternoon without feeling rushed, as there are no required stops to break up the 1 hour and 45-minute duration. While the route is simple, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Malad City to ensure you stay within your $17 budget for the entire trip. Because the route relies heavily on local roads like Bannock Street and West Sunnyside Road, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns as you approach Idaho Falls. Prioritize checking your route map ahead of time to navigate the turn-heavy sections with confidence.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.5 miles from Malad City, ID, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.4 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 53.5 miles or 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 25m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Malad City, 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 Malad City, ID

This is one driving day of about 107.1 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Malad City, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 102.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53.5 mi from Malad City, ID · 52m into the drive

Downtown Pocatello, ID, ID

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pocatello, ID

54 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.

Popular next leg

Pocatello, ID to Idaho Falls, ID

50.7 mi · 53m

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Hall, ID

Fuel and coffee

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

Pocatello, ID

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.5 miles from Malad City, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.4 miles.

Arriving in Idaho Falls, ID

The final approach into Idaho Falls, 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 Idaho Falls, 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

$16.97 one way

$33.94 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.23 $17.84 $35.68
premium $4.53 $19.10 $38.19
diesel $5.64 $23.79 $47.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.1 0 $11.25 $5.14
Efficient EV 26.8 0 $9.37 $4.28
EV Truck/SUV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (65% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Malad City, ID

Evening in Malad City on Sunday

Local time

8:16 PM

MDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Idaho Falls, ID

Evening in Idaho Falls on Sunday

Local time

8:16 PM

MDT

Current temp

38°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

4 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

1h 45m 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 Malad City, ID to Idaho Falls, ID covers 107.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Veterans Memorial Highway, West Sunnyside Road, Bannock Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 miles from Malad City, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.97 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.
The drive from Malad City, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is easy. At 1h 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Bannock Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 104 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Malad City, ID to Idaho Falls, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,436 ft to 5,475 ft elevation with about 1,467 ft of total climbing. There are 5 notable high points along the way.

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