Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
178.8 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
The drive from Sun Valley, ID to Caldwell, ID covers 178.8 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Moritz Road, Sun Valley Road, North Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
89.4 miles from Sun Valley, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 4m drive with frequent turns across 178.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Moritz Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sun Valley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sun Valley Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 84 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 20 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sun Valley, ID and Caldwell, ID.
Start on Inn Entry Lane
Turn left onto Moritz Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Sun Valley Road
Turn left onto North Main Street
Turn right onto Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
Continue on Sun Valley Highway
Take the ramp right toward I 84 West, US 20 West, US 26 West, US 30 West: Boise
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward US 20, US 26 East
Turn left onto Franklin Road
Continue on North 21st Avenue
Turn right onto Blaine Street
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 32m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caldwell, ID than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sun Valley, 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 Sun Valley, ID
This is one driving day of about 178.8 miles and 3h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.4 mi from Sun Valley, ID · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Sun Valley, ID, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, ID.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.40 one way
$54.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $29.78 | $59.57 |
| premium | $4.55 | $32.02 | $64.04 |
| diesel | $5.41 | $38.10 | $76.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.03 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Sun Valley on Saturday
Local time
5:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Caldwell on Saturday
Local time
5:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
33°F
Hailey, ID
89 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
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.
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