Road Trips from Pocatello, ID
Heading out of Pocatello, you've got a great mix of options. For a quick escape, there are several destinations within a half-day's drive that include national monuments. If you're looking for a longer haul, several routes take you north across the state, hitting high-altitude terrain and scoring a 9 for the drive. Two of these longer routes even include historical parks, making them good candidates for an overnight trip.
Total Routes
9
Shortest
4.6h
With Parks Nearby
4
Weekend trip
McCall, ID
6h 19m342 mi one way
This 6.3-hour trip takes you to McCall, ID. It features high-altitude sections with climbs and includes Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the parks accessible from Pocatello. It's a solid day trip if you want to experience some elevation change.
Weiser, ID
5h 6m305.6 mi one way
A 5.1-hour drive on mostly highway gets you to Weiser, ID. This route offers a good drive score of 8 and also passes by Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. It's a straightforward option if you're looking for a shorter, highway-focused drive.
Parma, ID
4h 34m273.8 mi one way
This 4.6-hour drive to Parma, ID, is the shortest option and features gently rolling terrain. Similar to other shorter trips, it includes Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. It's a good choice for a quick drive with some varied landscape.
Long-haul ideas
6 total in this range
Grangeville, ID
8h 8m433.6 mi one way
Consider Grangeville, ID, for an overnight trip. This 8.1-hour drive has a high drive score of 9, mixed highway and surface roads, and includes both Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and Nez Perce National Historical Park. The terrain includes high-altitude sections with climbs.
Rathdrum, ID
8h 58m540.4 mi one way
This is a long haul at 9 hours and 540.4 miles to Rathdrum, ID. It’s labeled a long-haul drive with a score of 9 and involves high-altitude sections with climbs. An overnight stay is recommended for this extensive trip.
Hayden, ID
8h 49m533 mi one way
Plan for an overnight stay on this 8.8-hour drive to Hayden, ID. Covering 533 miles, it's categorized as a long-haul drive with a high score of 9. The route includes high-altitude sections with notable climbs.
Priest River, ID
9h 55m578.3 mi one way
This is one of the longest options, a 9.9-hour drive to Priest River, ID. It’s classified as a long-haul drive with a perfect score of 9. The terrain features high-altitude sections with climbs, and an overnight stop is recommended.
Plummer, ID
9h 23m561.6 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Grangeville, ID
8h 8m433.6 mi one way
McCall, ID
6h 19m342 mi one way
Rathdrum, ID
8h 58m540.4 mi one way
Weiser, ID
5h 6m305.6 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives can take advantage of Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, accessible on several shorter routes.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the longer, high-altitude drives north, as the terrain is more accessible.
Fall
Fall colors might enhance the high-altitude sections on the longer drives north, including those to Grangeville.
Winter
Winter conditions could make the high-altitude sections of the longer northern routes challenging.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Pocatello, ID city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.