How far is Pocatello, ID from Challis, ID?

The driving distance from Pocatello, ID to Challis, ID is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.48 mi
03h 10m
Flight
143.87 mi
231.53 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pocatello.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.87 mi
Kilometers
231.53 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.48 mi
Kilometers
261.48 km
Drive Time
03h 10m

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 03h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Challis
Sun, Apr 19, 4:54 AM MDT
Return by in Pocatello
Sun, Apr 19, 8:04 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pocatello
2026-04-19T01:43
Arrive Challis
Sun, Apr 19, 4:54 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:40 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pocatello
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Arco
ID

City in Butte County, Idaho, United States

From Pocatello
81.2 mi
01h 35m
To Challis
81.3 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph SE
Destination
50°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pocatello and Challis.

  1. 1

    Start on North 7th Avenue

    70 m · 16 sec · North 7th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Wyeth Street

    1086 ft · 50 sec · East Wyeth Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 10th Avenue

    1452 ft · 45 sec · North 10th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Center Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Center Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    2604 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 26, ID 39: Blackfoot, Arco

    1230 ft · 30 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    55 m · 12 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Bergener Boulevard

    34.1 mi · 38 min · Bergener Boulevard

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

    22.9 mi · 26 min · Idaho Medal of Honor Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on South Front Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Front Street

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    78.7 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Valley Avenue

    2264 ft · 2 min · East Valley Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South 7th Street

    101 m · 16 sec · South 7th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    41 m · 10 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Front Street
80.3 mi · 49%
Bergener Boulevard
34.1 mi · 21%
Idaho Medal of Honor Highway
22.9 mi · 14%
Veterans Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 14%
East Center Street
0.92 mi · 1%
East Valley Avenue
0.43 mi
Longest Stretch

South Front Street

Continue straight

78.7 mi · 01h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
143.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arco
01h 35m from Pocatello
Leave By
10:40 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Pocatello and Mostly Sunny near Challis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pocatello to Challis?

The road trip is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km) and usually takes 03h 10m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Arco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.2 miles from Pocatello and 81.3 miles from Challis.

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

The direct path is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.31 one way or $44.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Pocatello and Mostly Sunny near Challis.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pocatello and Challis. Straight-line distance: 143.87 mi (231.53 km).

Pocatello

#1 Pocatello

The most populous city in Bannock County, Idaho.

Population56,637
Coordinates42.8713000, -112.4455300
Altitude1360
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Challis

City in Custer County, Idaho, United States

Population1,091
Coordinates44.5046400, -114.2317300
Altitude1601
CountryUnited States
Start: Pocatello (-112.44553, 42.8713)
End: Challis (-114.23173, 44.50464)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.73 gal
21.7 L · about $22.31
Round trip
$44.61
11.46 gal · 43.4 L
Estimated CO2
50.9 kg one way
Round trip: 101.8 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $22.31 $44.61
Mid-grade $4.23 $24.24 $48.49
Premium $4.55 $26.07 $52.13
Diesel $5.41 $31.01 $62.02

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Pocatello and Challis. The current time is 01:43:51.

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.