Ammon, ID to Hayden, ID is 488.9 miles and takes about 8h 10m via I 90 and US 95, with a fuel budget near $89 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent feel as you travel through Idaho. With 2 recommended days, you have ample time to break up the drive and explore along the way. Most of the route is on major highways, making it a straightforward drive for those comfortable with interstate travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
244.4 miles from Ammon, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
278.5 mi
4h 41m
Veterans Memorial Highway
198.2 mi
3h 6m
US 95
3.6 mi
6m
East Sunnyside Road
2.9 mi
4m
East 17th Street
1.1 mi
1m
North Government Way
1 mi
1m
South Holmes Avenue
1 mi
1m
South Utah Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 278.5 mi, about 4h 41m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~596 veh/hr typical
· worst 877
Quietest
2 AM
~40 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ammon, ID and Hayden, ID.
1
Start on Molen Street
135 ft·11 sec·Molen Street
2
Turn left onto Central Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Sunnyside Road
2.9 mi·4 min·East Sunnyside Road
4
Turn right onto South Holmes Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·South Holmes Avenue
5
Turn left onto East 17th Street
1.1 mi·1 min·East 17th Street
6
Continue on Pancheri Drive
0.4 mi·47 sec·Pancheri Drive
7
Turn right onto South Utah Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·South Utah Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto South Utah Avenue
222 ft·4 sec·South Utah Avenue
9
Continue on South Utah Avenue
0.5 mi·58 sec·South Utah Avenue
10
Turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 20 BUS
0.3 mi·34 sec·West Broadway Street
11
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS; US 20
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 15 BUS; US 20
Exit 118Toward I15 North: Roberts, Butte
12
Merge onto I 15; US 20
198 mi·3 hr 6 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
14
Merge onto I 90
278 mi·4 hr 41 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
16
Turn right onto US 95
3.6 mi·6 min·US 95
17
Turn right onto West Honeysuckle Avenue
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Honeysuckle Avenue
18
Turn left onto North Government Way
1.0 mi·1 min·North Government Way
19
Arrive at destination
North Government Way
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 10m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a smart move. Aim to depart Ammon, ID in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. Plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since the longest stretch without a break is nearly 279 miles on I 90. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $89, and it's always wise to fill up when you see stations, particularly before heading into less populated stretches. Consider stopping for your overnight in a town along I 90 to break up the drive conveniently.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 244.4 miles from Ammon, ID, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 278.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 244.4 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 244.4 miles or 3h 58m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hayden, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ammon, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ammon, ID
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hayden, ID
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Ammon, ID.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 278.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 6.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Sunnyside Road
Turn right onto East Sunnyside Road
Navigation decision point
4
5.5 mi into trip|~9m in|South Utah Avenue
Turn right onto South Utah Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
5.6 mi into trip|~10m in|South Utah Avenue
Enter roundabout onto South Utah Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
6.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 15 BUS; US 20
Take the ramp onto I 15 BUS; US 20 toward I15 North: Roberts, Butte
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 118
Toward I15 North: Roberts, Butte
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.06 one way
$176.12 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg171 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.78
$91.97
$183.93
premium
$5.11
$98.28
$196.56
diesel
$6.18
$118.93
$237.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Rivian Adventure Network
St Regis, Montana
Rivian
1 DCFC
BreatheEV Charging Station
Missoula, Montana
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Missoula, Montana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
St Regis, Montana
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Idaho Falls, Idaho
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Smelterville, Idaho
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Blink: 7
ChargePoint: 4
Other: 2
Tesla: 2
Electrify America: 2
EV Connect: 2
Rivian: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
146.7
1
$51.33
$23.47
Efficient EV
122.2
1
$42.78
$19.56
EV Truck/SUV
195.6
2
$68.45
$31.29
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Ammon, ID
Morning
in Ammon on Saturday
Local time
7:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hayden, ID
Morning
in Hayden on Saturday
Local time
6:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph3% chanceLive 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
8h 10m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 58% highway, with the longest continuous stretch covering 278.5 miles on I 90. You'll transition from I 90 to Veterans Memorial Highway and then US 95, indicating a shift from faster interstate speeds to more varied surface road conditions. Expect a mixed driving experience, with sections of open highway cruising and some potentially busier areas as you approach towns or navigate different road types.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 278.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Central Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 10m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles (South Utah Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 278.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 244 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hayden, ID before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ID can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.5 miles (South Utah Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hayden, ID before the return drive.
