Idaho Falls to Jackpot: Road Trip Guide to Nevada's Border

Few road trips in the American West compress so much geographic transition into so few miles. The 85-mile journey from Idaho Falls, Idaho to Jackpot, Nevada follows US-93 south, a two-lane highway that drops from the Snake River Plain into the northern Great Basin. You gain zero elevation change in the first hour, then gently descend into a basin that feels carved by wind and time.

This route, completed in about 1 hour 20 minutes without stops, passes through the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, skirts the base of the Bannock Range, and crosses the Idaho-Nevada border near Contact, NV. The final stretch is a straight, flat shot into Jackpot—a town that exists primarily for its casinos and golf course. But the real prize is the silent, sage-covered emptiness that precedes it.

To maximize your experience, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. This guide covers everything from gas station economics to pet-friendly pull-offs.

US-93 is a well-maintained two-lane highway with moderate traffic. From Idaho Falls, head south on US-20 West for 5 miles, then merge onto US-93 South toward Jackpot. The road is straight and flat through agricultural land near the Snake River, then transitions to sagebrush steppe after passing the town of Atomic City (pop. 29). Notable milestones include mile marker 30 (near the Craters of the Moon turnoff) and the Nevada state line at mile 72.

Fuel stops are sparse. The last reliable gas in Idaho is at the 7-Eleven in Idaho Falls (mile 0) and at the Chevron in Arco (31 miles south, but that's a detour). On US-93, there are no fuel stations until Jackpot. Plan accordingly: fill up in Idaho Falls. For electric vehicles, there are no DC fast chargers on this route. Jackpot has one Level 2 charger at the Cactus Pete's casino parking lot.

Cellular coverage is spotty. Verizon and T-Mobile have gaps between mile 20 and mile 50. AT&T may have better coverage near the border. Download offline maps from Google Maps or a dedicated app before departing.

Safety on US-93 is generally good. The road has wide shoulders and infrequent deer crossings, especially at dawn and dusk. The biggest hazard is driver fatigue due to the monotonous landscape. Take breaks every 40 minutes. Ideal rest stops include the US-93 Safety Rest Area near mile 15 (no water, just picnic tables) and the pull-off at the state line (mile 72) with a historical marker explaining the region's mining history.

For families, the primary attraction is the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park (before you leave town) and the Jackpot golf course's mini-golf. Between cities, there are no playgrounds or kid-focused stops. However, the wide spaces allow for spontaneous rock-skipping or nature scavenger hunts. Pack snacks and entertainment.

Pet-friendly features: Most rest areas allow leashed dogs, and the Jackpot casinos do not permit pets (they can stay in the motel rooms). Cactus Pete's does not have a designated pet area, but the grassy strip by the parking lot works. Carry water for your pet—the desert air dehydrates quickly.

Hidden off-route spots: About 8 miles west of US-93 on the Salmon-Challis National Forest access road (mile 55) is the abandoned mining camp of Leesburg. The ghost town has a few crumbling cabins and a cemetery from the 1870s. Very few tourists know of it. Another gem: the Contact Point Ghost Town just south of the Nevada border on a dirt track—the remnants of a 1900s copper mining settlement.

Fatigue management: The straight sections hypnotize. Set a speed limit alarm, play audiobooks, and pull over if you yawn more than three times in five minutes. Rest stops are bare bones, so mentally plan a 10-minute break at the state line.

The drive offers a textbook transect of the High Desert. The first 20 miles pass irrigated potato and alfalfa fields, with the Big Lost River Mountains faint on the western horizon. After the Big Lost River crossing, the world opens into sagebrush plains punctuated by volcanic cones. The Bannock Range rises east—jagged, dry, and timeless. At mile 50, the road enters the Jarbidge River watershed, where short juniper trees dot the slopes.

Wildlife is common: pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and if lucky, a golden eagle soaring over the cliffs. There are no official scenic overlooks, but several broad pull-offs at mile 40 and 65 offer wide-angle photo opportunities. For a short hike, turn east at the Jackpot turnoff onto Cottonwood Road (dirt) to reach the South Fork Cottonwood Canyon—a 1-mile walk to a small, spring-fed stream.

Local commerce along the route is almost nonexistent. A single roadside stand near mile 30 sells firewood and cholla cactus arrangements (cash only). This is one of the few places to buy a memento that isn't a casino trinket. Jackpot itself has three casinos (Cactus Pete's, Horseshu, and the Jackpot Junction), a golf course, and a handful of motels. The cultural highlight is the gambling, but the true character of the region is the wide-open solitude.