Road-tripping from California to Idaho: How Long is the Drive?

Are you planning a road trip from California to Idaho soon? It's a great adventure with scenic routes, exploring wild west ghost towns, mountain ranges, and national parks. However, it's important to plan your trip well, including transportation time, traffic patterns, and selecting the best route to make the most of your time. In this blog post, we will cover the different routes you can take, the distance, and the estimated driving time.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

The fastest route from California to Idaho is via Interstate 80 East from the Bay Area, which will take around 12 hours non-stop. However, it's unimaginative and boring as it's mostly just Interstate driving without much to see. If you're looking to make the best of your road trip and see many sights, the best recommendations we have come from Interstate 5. This is a more scenic route, but the Gateway to the Pacific Northwest and the Wine Country. including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the famous Redwood National and State Parks in California, and the Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

Distance and Time It Takes

Taking I-5 North from Los Angeles to Boise, it's approximately 895 miles and takes 14 hours to reach. However, the drive time can vary depending on traffic patterns and road conditions, especially if you plan on driving through major cities such as Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle. That said, if you plan to take pit stops along the way or enjoy leisurely drives, or on something of a vacation schedule, it is good thinking to add an additional day or day and a half for your trip according to your itinerary rather than rushing yourself.

Peak and Low Traffic Times

Peak traffic times occur during the weekend and holiday season, which means long waiting times at checkpoints, higher gas prices, and immense traffic. We recommend planning around these peak traffic times and add some buffer time if you travel during these times. Alternatively, low traffic times occur during weekdays, early mornings, and late evenings. These times will ensure smoother and faster driving without any traffic chaos to encounter.

Route Options and Drive Times

Here are two different routes you can take to drive from California to Idaho:

Route 1: I-5 North and I-84 East:

Distance: Approximately 895 miles Travel Time: 14 hours Peak Traffic: 16-18 hours Low traffic: 12 hours

Route 2: US-395 North and I-84 East:

Distance: Approximately 938 miles Travel Time: 15 hours Peak Traffic: 17-19 hours Low traffic: 13 hours

Conclusion

Road tripping from California to Idaho is a beautiful way to explore the western side of the United States and witness the natural beauty of the region. However, planning and timeliness are critical to make the most of your experience. Keep in mind the different routes, driving distance, and travel time, including peak and low traffic times, to ensure a comfortable and safe trip. By following these tips, your road trip will be a truly unforgettable one.