This 326-mile drive from New Plymouth to Idaho Falls, ID, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 17 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, I-86, and I-15 BUS. With a projected fuel cost of around $52, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Mountain West region. While it's a feasible day trip, consider that one stop is recommended to break up the drive. The longest continuous stretch on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway is over 210 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
163 miles from New Plymouth, ID
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
210.9 mi
3h 23m
I 86
62.7 mi
59m
I 15 BUS
43.5 mi
41m
South East Avenue
4.6 mi
6m
West Sunnyside Road
2.6 mi
3m
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
0.7 mi
<1m
US 30
0.3 mi
<1m
Stonebrook Lane
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
— 210.9 mi, about 3h 23m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,673 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,074
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 New Plymouth, ID and Idaho Falls, ID.
1
Start on US 30
4.6 mi·6 min·South East Avenue
2
Take the ramp onto US 30
0.3 mi·20 sec·US 30
3
Merge onto I 84; US 30
17 mi·16 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
4
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
0.7 mi·47 sec·Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
5
Continue on I 84; US 20; US 26; US 30
22 mi·25 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30
172 mi·2 hr 42 min·Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 86; US 30
63 mi·59 min·I 86; US 30
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·40 sec
Toward Idaho Falls
9
Merge onto I 15 BUS
43 mi·40 min·I 15 BUS
10
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26
0.3 mi·35 sec·I 15 BUS; US 26
Toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
11
Turn right onto I 15 BUS; US 26
2.6 mi·3 min·West Sunnyside Road
12
Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane
466 ft·14 sec·Stonebrook Lane
13
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
241 ft·16 sec·West Stone Run Lane
14
Turn left onto Charleston Lane
152 ft·6 sec·Charleston Lane
15
Arrive at destination
Charleston Lane
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 17-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Idaho Falls comfortably. Given the longest stretch is over 210 miles, planning at least one significant stop for fuel and a break is advisable. The estimated fuel cost is $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing New Plymouth. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your timing, but be aware of potential traffic as you approach Idaho Falls, especially if traveling during peak hours.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163 miles from New Plymouth, ID, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.9 miles.
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 72 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Idaho Falls, ID than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Plymouth, 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 New Plymouth, ID
This is one driving day of about 326 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from New Plymouth, ID.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway for about 210.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.2 and 326 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
44.2 mi into trip|~49m in|I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
279.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Idaho Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Idaho Falls
5
323 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|I 15 BUS; US 26
Take the exit onto I 15 BUS; US 26 toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 Business, US 26: Ammon, Jackson
5
325.9 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|West Stone Run Lane
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
Navigation decision point
5
326 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|Charleston Lane
Turn left onto Charleston Lane
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.81 one way
$101.62 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$53.56
$107.12
premium
$4.47
$57.42
$114.84
diesel
$4.80
$61.55
$123.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.23
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.64
$20.86
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
New Plymouth, ID
Late night
in New Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
98°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 3 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:26AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
Destination
Idaho Falls, ID
Late night
in Idaho Falls on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
89°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 6 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:26AM MDT until July 17 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
During the Pliocene, this place looked quite different. Lush wetlands, forests, and grasslands provided excellent habitat for a variety of animals. From fascinating, now-extinct creatures like the sab...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 146.1
Caution: Use Caution with "Fossil Beds Information" Signs
Caution: If You Can't Reach Us By Phone, Please Email Us
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with about 33% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster highway driving, particularly on I-86, interspersed with other road types. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 210.9 miles along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent travel. The road's character shifts as you progress, offering varied driving conditions throughout the 326-mile trip.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.9 mi on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44.2 miles in near I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 326 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 323 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Idaho Falls is a city in Eastern Idaho. Idaho Falls serves as the commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub for Eastern Idaho. The city attracts many tourists visiting nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Jackson Hole, and fishing on the Snake River. Due to its proximity to high-profile outdoor destinations, in 2009, Idaho Falls was named to National Geographic's list of the "100 Best Adventure Towns".
Top landmarks
•New Sweden School — school building in Idaho Falls, United States of America
•Bonneville Hotel — hotel building in Idaho Falls, Idaho
•Bonneville County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 326 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.9 miles on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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: at 44.2 miles (I 84; US 30 / Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 279.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 323 miles (I 15 BUS; US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Idaho Falls, ID before the return drive.
