How far is Caldwell, ID from Salmon, ID?
The driving distance from Caldwell, ID to Salmon, ID is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 29m 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 14m.
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.
Rain Showers
Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Caldwell and Salmon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell and Salmon.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Cleveland Boulevard
1.3 km · 2 min · Cleveland Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto South 21st Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · South 21st Avenue
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4
Continue on Franklin Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Franklin Road
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5
Continue on Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
7 mi · 10 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
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6
Continue on West Chinden Boulevard
2.1 mi · 3 min · West Chinden Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto Central Valley Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Central Valley Expressway
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8
Turn right onto West State Street
7.2 mi · 10 min · West State Street
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9
Turn left onto North Horseshoe Bend Road
8.9 mi · 12 min · North Horseshoe Bend Road
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10
Continue on Payette River Scenic Byway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Payette River Scenic Byway
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11
Continue on Highway 55
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 55
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12
Continue on Horseshoe Bend Road
2105 ft · 30 sec · Horseshoe Bend Road
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13
Continue on Highway 55
16 mi · 24 min · Highway 55
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14
Continue on Horseshoe Bend Road
109 m · 8 sec · Horseshoe Bend Road
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15
Turn right onto Banks Lowman Road
33.3 mi · 59 min · Banks Lowman Road
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16
Turn left onto Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route
32.8 mi · 45 min · Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route
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17
Continue on State Highway 21
24.4 mi · 28 min · State Highway 21
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18
Continue on Eva Falls Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Eva Falls Avenue
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19
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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20
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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21
Continue on South Challis Street
2152 ft · 43 sec · South Challis Street
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22
Turn left onto Main Street
2394 ft · 48 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn left onto South Saint Charles Street
63 m · 9 sec · South Saint Charles Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Saint Charles Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Caldwell 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.
Rain Showers leaving Caldwell and Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms near Salmon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Caldwell to Salmon?
The road trip is about 261.5 miles (420.8 km) and usually takes 06h 14m 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 130.6 miles from Caldwell and 130.9 miles from Salmon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 88.6 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 $35.89 one way or $71.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Caldwell and Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms near Salmon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Caldwell and Salmon. Straight-line distance: 172.9 mi (278.26 km).
#1 Caldwell
The most populous city in Canyon County, Idaho.
| Population | 58,481 |
| Coordinates | 43.6629400, -116.6873600 |
| Altitude | 724 |
| 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: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $35.89 | $71.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $39.01 | $78.02 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $41.94 | $83.88 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $49.90 | $99.80 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.