Driggs to Pullman Road Trip: Teton Views to Palouse Hills

The drive from Driggs, Idaho, to Pullman, Washington, spans roughly 380 miles and takes about 6-7 hours without stops. This route crosses the Teton Valley, snakes through eastern Idaho’s high desert, and climbs into the rolling Palouse hills. A little-known fact: the section from Driggs to Rexburg follows the old path of the Lander Road, a 19th-century emigrant trail used by settlers heading to Oregon. Today, you'll traverse US-33, US-20, I-15, and US-195, with scenic transitions from jagged peaks to wheat-covered swells.

• Start: Driggs, ID (elevation 6,100 ft) near the Tetons
• End: Pullman, WA (elevation 2,500 ft) home of Washington State University
• Estimated driving time: 6 hours 15 minutes (without stops)
• Best time of year: Late spring (May-June) for wildflowers; early fall (September-October) for harvest colors

This guide unpacks how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, using this strategic approach to break the monotonous interstate rhythm. Whether you're asking 'how long to drive Driggs, ID to Pullman, WA' or 'is it worth driving Driggs, ID to Pullman, WA,' the answer lies in the detours.

Fuel stops are sparse once you leave the Snake River Plain. Plan to fill up in Rexburg, Idaho Falls, or Dubois. Beyond Dubois, the next reliable gas is in Pullman, so top off. Most stations accept credit cards, but carry cash for smaller rural pumps.

• Rexburg: Multiple stations on US-20 (e.g., Maverik, Sinclair)
• Idaho Falls: Full services near I-15 exits
• Dubois: One Shell station with diesel and propane
• Pullman: Chevron and Safeway fuel stations

Road quality is generally good. US-33 and US-20 are two-lane highways with occasional passing lanes. I-15 is well-maintained interstate. US-195 from Lewiston to Pullman is a winding two-lane road through the Palouse; watch for farm equipment and slow vehicles. Winter driving (November-March) requires snow tires or chains, especially over the Teton Pass (US-33) near Driggs and the grade near Lewiston.

Cell service is intermittent from Driggs to Rexburg and again from Dubois to Pullman. Download offline maps and inform someone of your route. The most dangerous section is the two-lane US-195 from Lewiston to Pullman, where hills and curves limit visibility. Drive at or below the posted speed limit (55 mph).

• Rest areas: US-20 rest stop 10 miles east of Idaho Falls; South Fork of the Snake River pullout near Heise; US-195 rest area near Uniontown
• Family stops: Yellowstone Bear World (Rexburg); Idaho Falls Zoo; Palouse Discovery Science Center (Pullman)
• Pet-friendly: Driggs has a dog park; many rest stops have pet areas; Pullman's Reaney Park has a fenced dog run

To manage fatigue, stop every 2 hours. Good break points: Heise Bridge (mile 70, US-20) for a river view; the town of Arco (Detour: 18 mi north of US-20) to see the Experimental Breeder Reactor No. 1; and Lewiston, where you can walk along the Clearwater River. Consider an overnight stay in Idaho Falls or Lewiston to split the drive.

The first leg from Driggs to Rexburg offers stunning views of the Teton Range. Pull over at the Teton Scenic Byway overlook (milepost 5 on US-33) for a photo. As you descend into Rexburg, the landscape flattens into farmland. Rexburg is home to the BYU-Idaho campus and the Rexburg Tabernacle, a historic Mormon meetinghouse built in 1883.

• Teton Valley: Hiking at Grand Teton National Park (30 min south of Driggs)
• Rexburg: Yellowstone Bear World drive-through wildlife park
• Idaho Falls: Greenbelt along the Snake River, with the Japanese Friendship Garden
• Dubois: Sagebrush steppe and the Continental Divide near Bannock Pass

After Dubois, US-20 crosses the Continental Divide at Bannock Pass (elevation 7,680 ft). The high desert gives way to the Palouse region near Pullman, characterized by rolling hills covered in wheat and lentil fields. In autumn, these hills turn gold and amber. Local commerce includes farm stands selling Palouse lentils and fresh produce. In Pullman, visit the WSU Creamery for ice cream and cheese.