How far is Idaho Falls, ID from Ponderay, ID?
The driving distance from Idaho Falls, ID to Ponderay, ID is about 526.6 miles (847.5 km), with a travel time of about 08h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 398.1 miles (640.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 51m 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 08h 55m.
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 Lemhi County, Idaho, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Idaho Falls and Ponderay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Idaho Falls and Ponderay.
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1
Start on Charleston Lane
46 m · 9 sec · Charleston Lane
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2
Turn right onto West Stone Run Lane
74 m · 16 sec · West Stone Run Lane
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3
Turn left onto Stonebrook Lane
142 m · 15 sec · Stonebrook Lane
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4
Continue on South Boulevard
1.6 km · 3 min · South Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto East 17th Street
3012 ft · 53 sec · East 17th Street
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6
Continue on Pancheri Drive
1964 ft · 47 sec · Pancheri Drive
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7
Turn right onto South Utah Avenue
776 ft · 16 sec · South Utah Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Utah Avenue
68 m · 4 sec · South Utah Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto South Utah Avenue
2440 ft · 58 sec · South Utah Avenue
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10
Turn left onto West Broadway Street
1513 ft · 35 sec · West Broadway Street
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11
Take the ramp right toward I15 North: Roberts, Butte
1128 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Highway
198.2 mi · 3 hr 6 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 90 West: Missoula
2808 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 90 West: Missoula
278.5 mi · 4 hr 42 min
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15
Take the exit slight right
1277 ft · 35 sec
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16
Turn right
44.3 mi · 55 min
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17
Take the exit slight right
1667 ft · 51 sec
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18
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Railroad Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 5th Street
68 m · 15 sec · 5th Street
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20
Turn left onto Birch Avenue
18 m · 3 sec · Birch Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Birch Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Idaho Falls and Ponderay.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 90 West
Merge slight left onto I 90 West: Missoula
278 mi · 04h 42m
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 Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Idaho Falls and Mostly Sunny near Ponderay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Idaho Falls to Ponderay?
The road trip is about 526.6 miles (847.5 km) and usually takes 08h 55m 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?
Salmon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 263 miles from Idaho Falls and 263.5 miles from Ponderay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 398.1 miles (640.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 128.5 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 $72.33 one way or $144.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 165.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Idaho Falls and Ponderay, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Idaho Falls and Mostly Sunny near Ponderay.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Idaho Falls and Ponderay. Straight-line distance: 398.1 mi (640.68 km).
#1 Idaho Falls
The most populous city in Bonneville County, Idaho.
| Population | 62,888 |
| Coordinates | 43.4665800, -112.0341400 |
| Altitude | 1434 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ponderay
City in Bonner County, Idaho, United States
| Population | 1,157 |
| Coordinates | 48.3054800, -116.5338000 |
| Altitude | 648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponderay (-116.5338, 48.30548)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 847 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $72.33 | $144.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $78.61 | $157.22 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $84.52 | $169.04 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $100.55 | $201.11 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.