Best Road Trip Routes in Idaho

Idaho's road trips span some of the most dramatic mountain drives in the Rockies alongside volcanic plains and Hells Canyon's depths.

Sawtooth Scenic Byway (ID-75)
From Twin Falls north through the Magic Valley, past Shoshone Falls, through the Wood River Valley (Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley), over Galena Summit (8,701 ft) with the definitive Sawtooth Range panorama, down into the Stanley Basin, and along the Salmon River — 150 miles from Twin Falls to Stanley. The Galena Summit pullout and the Stanley Basin meadow view are the highlights. This is Idaho's most celebrated scenic drive.

Panhandle Loop (US-95 and US-2)
From Lewiston north through the Camas Prairie (wildflower bloom in May), into the Craig Mountain area, through Grangeville, over White Bird Hill (overlook of the Salmon River), north to Riggins, then US-95 north through McCall (Payette Lake, outdoor resort town), Cascade, and on to Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint. The White Bird Battlefield (1877 Nez Perce-US Army battle) and the Salmon River canyon are highlights.

Hells Canyon Byway
From Weiser north on US-95, turning west to Cambridge and the Hells Canyon Dam overlook road (open seasonally). The road drops into the canyon above the dam — views of the Snake River 2,000 feet below. Continuing by jetboat from Lewiston (the Snake River is navigable to Lewiston — the farthest inland port on the Pacific coast of the US, 470 miles from the ocean).

Craters of the Moon and Magic Valley
From Boise east on US-20 through the Snake River Plain — Twin Falls (Shoshone Falls, Perrine Bridge), Hagerman Fossil Beds, Bliss, and on to Craters of the Moon National Monument. The Arco area (the first city in the world to be powered by nuclear energy, 1955) and the Idaho National Laboratory are nearby. Continue north via Mackay to Borah Peak access.