Dubois to Hope: A Scenic 800-Mile Drive

Driving from Dubois, WY to Hope, ID means crossing the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass (9,658 ft), then following the Snake River through Idaho's volcanic plains. This 640-mile journey takes about 10 hours of pure driving, but you'll want extra time for the diverse landscapes.

Along the way, you'll move from the Wind River Range's granite peaks to the Craters of the Moon National Monument's basalt fields, finally dropping into the timbered shores of Lake Pend Oreille. The route strings together three distinct ecosystems: alpine forest, high desert, and lake country.

Just outside Dubois, you'll see the Dubois Badlands, a fossil-rich area of Eocene age. National Geographic once called them 'a textbook of the Miocene.' As you cross Togwotee Pass, the Wind River Range glows pink at sunrise—an early start is worth it.

Jackson Hole offers cultural stops: the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Elk Refuge. Farther west, the Snake River Plain is home to the Eastern Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, where you can spud a tuber. In the Craters of the Moon region, lava tubes explore an otherworldly terrain.

Hope, ID, sits on the western shore of Lake Pend Oreille, where the local economy thrives on small-town marinas and logging. Try a huckleberry shake at a roadside stand near Sandpoint if you're there in summer.

Since the route crosses high passes, carry chains in winter and watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk. The speed limit on I-90 is 80 mph in Montana; stay alert for sudden fog in mountain valleys. Children will enjoy the Museum of Clean in Pocatello, ID, and the Yellowstone Bear World near Rexburg; both allow kids to interact safely.

Pets are welcome at most national forests and rest areas, but require leashes. For fatigue, plan rest breaks every two hours; the Idaho Falls Greenbelt offers a pleasant walk, and the Interstate 90 rest area at Lookout Pass has scenic overlooks.

Off the main highway, consider a detour to the Teton Scenic Byway (SH-31) from Victor, ID, to Swan Valley, which offers stunning views without adding much time. Another hidden gem is the ghost town of Gilmore, ID, reachable via dirt road but worth the detour for history buffs.

You'll drive US-26 West to US-20/US-191, then continue on I-15 North at Idaho Falls. At Butte, MT, take I-90 West through Missoula; finally, exit at US-2/US-200 to reach Hope. Keep your gas tank at least half full between Dubois and Idaho Falls—the stretch has sparse services.

This route sees heavy winter traffic over Togwotee Pass, so check conditions before you go. Summer brings roadwork, especially near Yellowstone's west entrance. For trip planning, how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities can help you stretch your breaks.

• Total driving time: ~10 hours (no stops).
• Best fuel price: usually in Idaho Falls (cheapest state taxes).
• Elevation changes: 6,000 ft at Dubois to 2,000 ft at Hope.
• Road quality: good all-weather pavement except Togwotee Pass in winter.