How far is Elk River, ID from Cardiff, ID?
The driving distance from Elk River, ID to Cardiff, ID is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Clearwater County, Idaho, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk River and Cardiff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk River and Cardiff.
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1
Start on Taft Street
137 m · 14 sec · Taft Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Front Street
717 ft · 20 sec · South Front Street
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3
Continue on Dent Bridge Road
13.7 mi · 33 min · Dent Bridge Road
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4
Turn slight left
93 m · 14 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Dent Bridge Road
3.2 mi · 8 min · Dent Bridge Road
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Dent Bridge Road
7.5 mi · 18 min · Dent Bridge Road
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7
Turn left onto C B 2 Road
2010 ft · 1 min · C B 2 Road
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8
Continue on Johnson Mill Road
3.9 mi · 15 min · Johnson Mill Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto Johnson Mill Road
2.5 mi · 10 min · Johnson Mill Road
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10
Turn sharp left onto Grangemont Road
15.6 mi · 38 min · Grangemont Road
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Avenue
82 m · 5 sec · Main Avenue
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12
Continue on State Highway 11
1.7 mi · 3 min · State Highway 11
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Highway 11
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk River and Cardiff.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Grangemont Road
Turn sharp left onto Grangemont Road
15.6 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Elk River and Light Rain Likely near Cardiff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk River to Cardiff?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?
Orofino is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.4 miles from Elk River and 24.4 miles from Cardiff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.70 one way or $13.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Elk River and Light Rain Likely near Cardiff.
Stop Ideas Near Orofino
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Orofino.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk River and Cardiff. Straight-line distance: 22.64 mi (36.43 km).
#1 Elk River
City in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States
| Population | 122 |
| Coordinates | 46.7835100, -116.1798700 |
| Altitude | 870 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cardiff
Cardiff is a place in Idaho, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 46.5743500, -115.8123600 |
| Altitude | 1042 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cardiff (-115.81236, 46.57435)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $6.70 | $13.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $7.28 | $14.55 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $7.82 | $15.65 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $9.31 | $18.62 |
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.