Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
41m
Distance
28.2 mi
45 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, ID
Wikimedia Commons
Emmett, ID
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion within the Mountain West, the 28.2-mile journey from Caldwell to Emmett is a straightforward option. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 41 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a single-day outing. Navigation primarily involves following the Emmett Highway, the Idaho Medal of Honor Highway, and West Chinden Boulevard. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the drive is quite economical for most vehicles. Since the entire route stays within the same region, you won't need to worry about major transitions in terrain or climate. It serves as a practical, no-fuss connection between these two Idaho communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Emmett Highway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| Idaho Medal of Honor Highway | 7 mi | 9m |
| West Chinden Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Central Valley Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Cleveland Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Johns Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 21st Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, ID and Emmett, ID.
Start on this road
Turn left onto I 84 Business
Turn left onto South 21st Avenue
Continue on Franklin Road
Continue on US 20; US 26
Continue on US 20; US 26
Turn left onto ID 16
Continue on ID 16
Turn right onto South Johns Avenue
Enter roundabout onto South Johns Avenue
Continue on South Johns Avenue
Enter roundabout onto East 4th Street
Continue on East 4th Street
Turn right onto South Hayes Avenue
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
Turn left
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 28.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto South 21st Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto South Johns Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto South Johns Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$4.47 one way
$8.94 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $4.68 | $9.37 |
| premium | $4.53 | $5.03 | $10.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.23 | $12.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.96 | $1.35 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.47 | $1.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.95 | $1.80 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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 Caldwell on Saturday
Local time
10:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Night in Emmett on Saturday
Local time
10:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Rain Showers Likely
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 7% of your travel occurs on major highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 13.5 miles on the Emmett Highway, offering a brief window of consistent speed. As you transition between the various roads, the character of the pavement and the flow of traffic will shift noticeably. Be prepared to adjust your speed frequently as the road winds through the landscape, giving the trip a more hands-on feel than a standard highway commute.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near South 21st Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 41m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (South 21st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 27 miles (South Johns Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (South Johns Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 41m. Total distance: 28.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (7%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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