How far is Challis, ID from Idaho Falls, ID?

The driving distance from Challis, ID to Idaho Falls, ID is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.7 miles (210.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
150.34 mi
02h 33m
Flight
130.68 mi
210.31 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Challis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.68 mi
Kilometers
210.31 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.34 mi
Kilometers
241.95 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 02h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Idaho Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM MDT
Return by in Challis
Thu, Apr 23, 3:45 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Challis
2026-04-22T22:38
Arrive Idaho Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:24 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Challis
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Moore
ID

City in Butte County, Idaho, United States

From Challis
75.1 mi
01h 16m
To Idaho Falls
75.2 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Wednesday

Snow Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph SW
Destination
52°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
16 to 29 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Challis and Idaho Falls.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Challis and Idaho Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    41 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South 7th Street

    99 m · 17 sec · South 7th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2325 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Salmon River Scenic Byway

    80.5 mi · 1 hr 37 min · South Salmon River Scenic Byway

  5. 5

    Continue on Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

    22.7 mi · 26 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

    19.3 mi · 21 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on West Arco Highway

    19.6 mi · 21 min · West Arco Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on West Broadway Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · West Broadway Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South 45th West

    2 mi · 4 min · South 45th West

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West 33rd South

    1.8 mi · 3 min · West 33rd South

  11. 11

    Continue on West Sunnyside Road

    2.7 mi · 4 min · West Sunnyside Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Stonebrook Lane

    142 m · 15 sec · Stonebrook Lane

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane

    74 m · 16 sec · West Stone Run Lane

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Charleston Lane

    46 m · 7 sec · Charleston Lane

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Charleston Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Challis and Idaho Falls.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Salmon River Scenic Byway
80.5 mi · 54%
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
42 mi · 28%
West Arco Highway
19.6 mi · 13%
West Sunnyside Road
2.73 mi · 2%
South 45th West
2.02 mi · 1%
West 33rd South
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Salmon River Scenic Byway

Turn right onto South Salmon River Scenic Byway

80.5 mi · 01h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.6 mi
130.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moore
01h 16m from Challis
Leave By
1:24 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Snow Showers leaving Challis and Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms near Idaho Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Challis to Idaho Falls?

The road trip is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km) and usually takes 02h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Moore is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.1 miles from Challis and 75.2 miles from Idaho Falls.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 130.7 miles (210.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.63 one way or $41.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Challis and Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms near Idaho Falls.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Challis and Idaho Falls. Straight-line distance: 130.68 mi (210.31 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Challis

City in Custer County, Idaho, United States

Population1,091
Coordinates44.5046400, -114.2317300
Altitude1601
CountryUnited States
Idaho Falls

#2 Idaho Falls

The most populous city in Bonneville County, Idaho.

Population62,888
Coordinates43.4665800, -112.0341400
Altitude1434
CountryUnited States
Start: (-114.231699, 44.50428)
End: Charleston Lane (-112.034479, 43.46658)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 242 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.3 gal
20.08 L · about $20.63
Round trip
$41.27
10.6 gal · 40.16 L
Estimated CO2
47.1 kg one way
Round trip: 94.2 kg / 208 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $20.63 $41.27
Mid-grade $4.23 $22.42 $44.85
Premium $4.55 $24.11 $48.22
Diesel $5.41 $28.68 $57.37

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

There is no time difference between Challis and Idaho Falls. The current time is 22:38:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.