How far is Boise, ID from Salmon, ID?
The driving distance from Boise, ID to Salmon, ID is about 248.9 miles (400.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 00m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Custer County, Idaho, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boise and Salmon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boise and Salmon.
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1
Start on the route
36 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left
39 m · 11 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Capitol Boulevard
849 ft · 34 sec · South Capitol Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto West Idaho Street
3037 ft · 1 min · West Idaho Street
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5
Turn right onto North 15th Street
1019 ft · 30 sec · North 15th Street
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6
Turn left onto West State Street
1.4 km · 2 min · West State Street
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7
Continue on West State Street
656 ft · 20 sec · West State Street
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8
Keep slight left to continue on West State Street
6.1 mi · 11 min · West State Street
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward SH-55
156 m · 14 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto North Horseshoe Bend Road
8.8 mi · 12 min · North Horseshoe Bend Road
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11
Continue on Payette River Scenic Byway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Payette River Scenic Byway
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12
Continue on Highway 55
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 55
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13
Continue on Horseshoe Bend Road
2105 ft · 30 sec · Horseshoe Bend Road
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14
Continue on Highway 55
16 mi · 24 min · Highway 55
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15
Continue on Horseshoe Bend Road
109 m · 8 sec · Horseshoe Bend Road
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16
Turn right onto Banks Lowman Road
33.3 mi · 59 min · Banks Lowman Road
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17
Turn left onto Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route
32.8 mi · 45 min · Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route
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18
Continue on State Highway 21
24.4 mi · 28 min · State Highway 21
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19
Continue on Eva Falls Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Eva Falls Avenue
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Salmon River Scenic Byway
54.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Salmon River Scenic Byway
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Salmon River Scenic Byway
59.9 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Salmon River Scenic Byway
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22
Continue on South Challis Street
2152 ft · 43 sec · South Challis Street
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23
Turn left onto Main Street
2394 ft · 48 sec · Main Street
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24
Turn left onto South Saint Charles Street
63 m · 9 sec · South Saint Charles Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Saint Charles Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boise and Salmon.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
South Salmon River Scenic Byway
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Salmon River Scenic Byway
59.9 mi · 01h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Clear leaving Boise and Chance Rain Showers near Salmon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boise to Salmon?
The road trip is about 248.9 miles (400.6 km) and usually takes 06h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Stanley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.3 miles from Boise and 124.6 miles from Salmon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 92 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.18 one way or $68.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Boise and Chance Rain Showers near Salmon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boise and Salmon. Straight-line distance: 156.93 mi (252.55 km).
#1 Boise
The capital of Idaho.
| Population | 228,959 |
| Coordinates | 43.6135000, -116.2034500 |
| Altitude | 823 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salmon
City in Lemhi County, Idaho, United States
| Population | 3,169 |
| Coordinates | 45.1757500, -113.8959000 |
| Altitude | 1202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salmon (-113.8959, 45.17575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $34.18 | $68.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $37.15 | $74.30 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $47.52 | $95.03 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Idaho · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.