How far is Ponderay, ID from Pocatello, ID?
The driving distance from Ponderay, ID to Pocatello, ID is about 545.6 miles (878.1 km), with a travel time of about 08h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 424.1 miles (682.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM PDT.
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 32m.
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
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ponderay and Pocatello.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponderay and Pocatello.
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1
Start on Birch Avenue
18 m · 5 sec · Birch Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 5th Street
68 m · 10 sec · 5th Street
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3
Turn left onto Railroad Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Railroad Avenue
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4
Take the exit left
1293 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Sand Creek Byway
44.4 mi · 56 min · Sand Creek Byway
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6
Turn left
278 mi · 4 hr 40 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
2694 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
245.5 mi · 3 hr 51 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Pocatello Creek Road
1323 ft · 32 sec
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10
Keep slight right
2424 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Jefferson Avenue
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Oak Street
101 m · 12 sec · East Oak Street
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13
Turn left onto North 12th Avenue
637 ft · 25 sec · North 12th Avenue
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14
Turn right onto East Bridger Street
1802 ft · 1 min · East Bridger Street
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15
Turn left onto North 7th Avenue
151 m · 22 sec · North 7th Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 7th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ponderay and Pocatello.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn left
278 mi · 04h 40m
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 leaving Ponderay and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocatello.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ponderay to Pocatello?
The road trip is about 545.6 miles (878.1 km) and usually takes 08h 32m 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 286 miles from Ponderay and 259.7 miles from Pocatello.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 424.1 miles (682.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 121.5 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 PDT. 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 $74.94 one way or $149.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 171.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Ponderay and Pocatello, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ponderay and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocatello.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ponderay and Pocatello. Straight-line distance: 424.17 mi (682.64 km).
#1 Ponderay
City in Bonner County, Idaho, United States
| Population | 1,157 |
| Coordinates | 48.3054800, -116.5338000 |
| Altitude | 648 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pocatello
The most populous city in Bannock County, Idaho.
| Population | 56,637 |
| Coordinates | 42.8713000, -112.4455300 |
| Altitude | 1360 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 7th Avenue (-112.445543, 42.871292)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 878 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $74.94 | $149.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $81.45 | $162.89 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $87.57 | $175.14 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $104.18 | $208.36 |
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.