The drive from Soda Springs, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 316.5 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, West 2nd South Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 192.4 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.15 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
158.2 miles from Soda Springs, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 316.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 16m drive with frequent turns across 316.5 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 192.4 miles.
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 around 58.7 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 16m 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: at 58.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 314.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 316.4 miles (South 10th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 86 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 72
Toward I 86 West
7
314.3 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 20, US 26 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 20, US 26 East
4
316.4 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|South 10th Avenue
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
316.4 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
316.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
192.4 mi
3h 6m
I 86
62.7 mi
59m
West 2nd South Street
33.9 mi
41m
Veterans Memorial Highway
23.9 mi
23m
Blaine Street
0.8 mi
1m
North 21st Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Franklin Road
0.4 mi
<1m
I 15 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 192.4 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Soda Springs, ID and Caldwell, ID.
1
Start on US 30; ID 34
34 mi·41 min·West 2nd South Street
2
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; US 30
0.4 mi·21 sec·I 15 Business; US 30
3
Merge onto I 15; US 30; US 91
24 mi·23 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
5
Continue on I 15 BUS
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 15 BUS
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 72Toward I 86 West
7
Continue on I 86
63 mi·59 min·I 86
8
Continue on I 84; US 30
192 mi·3 hr 6 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 20, US 26 EastUse the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 20; US 26
0.4 mi·52 sec·Franklin Road
11
Continue on North 21st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 21st Avenue
12
Turn right onto I 84 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Blaine Street
13
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
166 ft·9 sec·South 10th Avenue
14
Turn left
68 ft·6 sec
15
Turn right
79 ft·5 sec
16
Arrive at destination
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 158.2 miles from Soda Springs, ID, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.4 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 70 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 2h 41m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caldwell, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Soda Springs, 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 Soda Springs, ID
This is one driving day of about 316.5 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Soda Springs, 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 192.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.2 mi from Soda Springs, ID
· 2h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 196.4
Caution: Use Caution with "Fossil Beds Information" Signs
Caution: If You Can't Reach Us By Phone, Please Email Us
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.15 one way
$100.31 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$52.57
$105.14
premium
$4.53
$56.46
$112.92
diesel
$5.61
$69.88
$139.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Caldwell, Idaho
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Caldwell, Idaho
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Heyburn, Idaho
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Mountain Home, Idaho
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Burley, Idaho
Rivian
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Soda Springs, Idaho
Blink
1 DCFC
Flying J EV Charging Station
Caldwell, Idaho
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Caldwell, Idaho
Blink
1 DCFC
Blink: 4
Other: 3
Electrify America: 2
Rivian: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.23
$15.19
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.31
$20.26
Gas CO2
111 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Soda Springs, ID
Late night
in Soda Springs on Saturday
Local time
12:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Caldwell, ID
Late night
in Caldwell on Saturday
Local time
12:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°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
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 Soda Springs, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 316.5 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, West 2nd South Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.2 miles from Soda Springs, ID. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.15 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 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 314.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 316.4 miles (South 10th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Soda Springs, ID to Caldwell, ID does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.
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.
