What's the Best Route??

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by kadylady

Thanks. Most of that I didn't recognize, but the 93 from Challis to 20 is supposed to be a nice flat drive.
How about RT 20 from Idaho Falls thru Craters of the Moon? Can we cut across there?

The only part of 93 that you might find slow going is Lost Trail Pass. After that, the drive is pretty smooth from Salmon all the way through Tarreton and the entrance to I-15. From there, I.F. is only about 20 miles southward.

20 going west from Idaho Falls will take you through the Craters and the larger lava beds that are outside of the Craters monument. There's a right hand turn in Carey 20 takes that's fairly easy to miss, so if you go this route, watch for it. The turn is just past the 'downtown' area (all 2-3 blocks of it).

20 will take you on to Picabo, then over the Camas Prairie through Fairfield, and then over the Soldier Mtn. summit, and will dump you out at Mountain Home. The entrance to I-84 is right there, and Boise is about 45 minutes more away. This route is all good 2-lane, and is a beautiful drive.

It also is the shortest route east to west from I.F. to Boise. I haven't taken the Interstate since the Camas Prairie stretch of 20 was widened and improved many years ago.

If you want a scenic route, you sure picked a good one! It's full of good stuff and shows the diversity of our landscape to it's fullest. It also passes through some of the prettiest spots in Western Montana, too.

[kadylady]

Banjomike....we already took our trip. I was just adding an update and thanking all of you for your help. We ended up taking 95 straight down to Boise, with a stop in White Bird. We loved Idaho. Beautiful!!
Next trip we'll spend some time in Montana, too.

[pnwguy2]

Old thread but recently I had occasion to drive from Idaho Falls to Boise and chose US 20. I’m not sure it is fastest but much less stressful. Less overall mileage as it skirts well north of I-84. Speed limits are 65-70 with some town slowdowns. Anyone else try this route? I actually enjoy it more and I don’t think total time is significantly different.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Old thread but recently I had occasion to drive from Idaho Falls to Boise and chose US 20. I’m not sure it is fastest but much less stressful. Less overall mileage as it skirts well north of I-84. Speed limits are 65-70 with some town slowdowns. Anyone else try this route? I actually enjoy it more and I don’t think total time is significantly different.

I always use this route except for times when winter closes it.
I really enjoy the drive. The scenery tends to change drastically every time the road climbs over a hill, and the road has enough twists and turns that it makes driving interesting.

It used to take more time than the Interstate, but with the increased traffic on I-84, I think the time difference is probably longer, but not by very much.

[ejisme]

We drive up to Montana a few times a year and take that route, except we turn north a bit and come out at Dubois, ID to pick up I15 and head north. Great lonely drive out there, but interesting desert sites to see.