Driggs to Spokane: A Scenic Idaho-Washington Road Trip Guide

The drive from Driggs, Idaho to Spokane, Washington spans roughly 400 miles along US-20, US-26, and I-84, with an estimated driving time of 6 to 7 hours without stops. This route crosses the Continental Divide twice—once at Teton Pass (elevation 8,431 feet) and again near Monida Pass—offering dramatic shifts in topography and climate.

Few road trips in the American West pack such geographic diversity into a single day: you start amid the jagged Teton Range, traverse the high desert of eastern Idaho, then descend into the fertile Palouse region, and finally cross the Columbia River into Spokane's pine-studded hills. For those wondering how long to drive Driggs, ID to Spokane, WA, the answer is a comfortable day's drive, but lingering at the best stops Driggs, ID to Spokane, WA will easily fill a weekend. Is it worth driving Driggs, ID to Spokane, WA? Absolutely—the landscapes, volcanic hot springs, and small-town cafes make it one of the West's underrated journeys.

Route conditions vary dramatically. Teton Pass (US-33) has steep grades and snow closures from November to April. US-20 across eastern Idaho is mostly straight and flat, but prone to crosswinds and wildlife at dusk. I-84 through Oregon and Washington is well-maintained but remote between Ontario and Pendleton.

Pet-friendly stops: Craters of the Moon allows leashed pets on trails; Bitterbrush Rest Area west of Boise has designated pet areas. For families, the Idaho Falls River Walk has a playground, and Boise's Zoo Boise is a hit. Fatigue management: plan stops every 2 hours at rest areas (rest area near Arco milepost 225, Craters of the Moon visitor center).

• Recommended rest stops: Craters of the Moon (mile 225 US-20), Farewell Bend State Park (OR), Spokane Valley rest area (I-90)
• Family activities: Lava tubes at Craters of the Moon (flashlights needed), Shoshone Falls viewing platform, Silverwood Theme Park (north of Spokane)
• Pet relief: Pull off at rest areas with grass; avoid sagebrush with ticks

Check how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities for insider tips like the unmarked trail to Mesa Falls near Ashton, Idaho. Safety note: cell service is spotty east of Arco and west of Boise; download offline maps. Winter travelers must carry chains for Teton Pass.

From Driggs, the Teton Range dominates the rearview mirror as you drop into the Snake River Plain. This is high desert—sagebrush, lava flows, and volcanic buttes. Craters of the Moon National Monument (45 miles west of Arco) is a surreal landscape of cinder cones and lava tubes, a stop that answers things to do between Driggs, ID and Spokane, WA with a lunar-like hike.

Further west, the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls showcases the 212-foot Shoshone Falls—higher than Niagara—best viewed in spring. Near Boise, the Boise River Greenbelt offers a leafy urban respite. Entering Washington, the Palouse region's rolling wheat fields are a photographer's dream, especially at sunset.

• Geological highlights: Craters of the Moon lava flows (15,000 years old), Snake River basalt cliffs
• Flora/Fauna: sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer
• Cultural stops: Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Basque Block in Boise

Local commerce enriches the journey. In Driggs, the Spud Drive-In serves iconic potato-based fare. Arco's Pickle's Place is a quirky diner with homemade pies. Twin Falls has the Snake River Grill for farm-to-table cuisine. Boise's culinary scene is vibrant, with a concentration of Basque restaurants like Bar Gernika. For souvenirs, the Craters of the Moon visitor center sells volcanic rock samples.

The primary route from Driggs to Spokane uses US-20 west to Idaho Falls, then US-26/US-20 west to Arco and Craters of the Moon, then I-84 west through Twin Falls to Boise, and finally I-90 northwest to Spokane. An alternative is the more direct US-12 crossing via Lolo Pass (closed in winter). Fuel stations are sparse between Arco and Twin Falls (70-mile gap), so fill up in Idaho Falls or Arco.

Estimated costs: gasoline at ~25 mpg and $3.50/gal totals about $56. Tolls: none on this route. Washroom stops: every 30–60 miles on I-84, but rest areas are limited on US-20 east of Arco.

• Average fuel price along route: $3.40–$3.80/gal
• Food stops: fast food in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Boise; local diners in Driggs (Spud Drive-In) and Arco (Pickle's Place)
• Best time to drive: May to October for snow-free passes

For planning things to do between Driggs, ID and Spokane, WA, note that Boise offers a major urban break, but scenic highlights lie off the interstate: Craters of the Moon National Monument, Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, and the Snake River Canyon. Allow at least 8 hours with brief stops, or 2 days to explore fully.