Gonzalez Mexican & American Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Soda Springs, Idaho
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12085471043
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
105.5 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Soda Springs, ID
Abhishek Navlakha
Idaho Falls, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Soda Springs to Idaho Falls is a straightforward 105.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Veterans Memorial Highway, West 2nd South Street, and West Sunnyside Road. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable connection between these two Mountain West locations. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the drive offers a reliable link through the Idaho landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Soda Springs, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. While the route is entirely comprised of highways, the road layout requires your full attention as you transition between sections. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Veterans Memorial Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch at 68.2 miles. Because the path relies heavily on local roads, you should prepare for shifts in road character as you move from the quieter stretches near Soda Springs into the more developed areas approaching Idaho Falls. It is a practical, functional drive that favors consistency over high-speed interstate monotony.
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 33.9 miles in near I 15 Business; US 30.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Soda Springs, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is easy. At 1h 51m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 33.9 miles (I 15 Business; US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 102.5 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.4 miles (Stonebrook Lane): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; US 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Charleston Lane
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 5m |
| West 2nd South Street | 33.9 mi | 41m |
| West Sunnyside Road | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| I 15 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 15 BUS | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Stonebrook Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Stone Run Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Charleston Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Soda Springs, ID and Idaho Falls, ID.
Start on US 30; ID 34
Take the exit onto I 15 Business; US 30
Merge onto I 15; US 30; US 91
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26
Turn right onto I 15 BUS; US 26
Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Turn left onto Charleston Lane
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 105.5-mile distance, you can easily drive the full duration in one go. Keep in mind that the route's turn-heavy nature makes it especially important to stay alert, so ensure you are well-rested before getting behind the wheel. Since you are budgeting $17 for fuel, consider topping off your tank in Soda Springs to avoid any mid-route stress. Checking your tire pressure before you head out is a smart, route-specific tip that will help you handle the frequent turns more comfortably throughout the journey.
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.
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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 59m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Idaho Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Soda Springs, ID so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Soda Springs, ID
This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 1h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.8 mi from Soda Springs, ID · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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.
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Soda Springs, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.2 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Soda Springs, Idaho
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12085471043
Golden China Restaurant
Soda Springs, Idaho
Near the start, right off the route
Soda Springs, Idaho
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12085471043
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Soda Springs, Idaho
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12085479905
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Blackfoot, Idaho
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12087852517
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Chubbuck, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Soda Springs, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Blackfoot, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, right off the route
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12085230603
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Idaho Falls, Idaho
+12086128552
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Around the midpoint, short detour
Pocatello, Idaho
Hours: Closed
+12082365359
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$16.72 one way
$33.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $17.52 | $35.05 |
| premium | $4.53 | $18.82 | $37.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.29 | $46.59 |
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: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Soda Springs on Friday
Local time
10:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Idaho Falls on Friday
Local time
10:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Soda Springs, ID or browse trips ending in Idaho Falls, ID.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ID road trips.