Lava Hot Springs to Kemmerer: A Road Trip Guide

Leaving Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, the highway climbs onto the Portneuf Range’s eastern flank before descending into the vast Snake River Plain. This stretch of US-30 and US-89 traces the historic Oregon Trail, where wagon ruts are still visible near Soda Springs.

The route crosses the Wyoming border at Border Summit (7,140 ft), then snakes through the Fossil Butte National Monument area. Kemmerer, Wyoming, sits at the base of the Hams Fork Plateau, a town built on coal and fossils.

Total drive: how long to drive Lava Hot Springs, ID to Kemmerer, WY is roughly 2 hours 50 minutes covering 145 miles, without stops.

US-30 is a well-maintained two-lane highway with occasional passing lanes, while US-89 north of Montpelier offers sweeping curves through the Bear River Range. Expect intermittent construction zones during summer months.

Fuel prices along this route are lower than the national average, but stations cluster in Lava Hot Springs, Soda Springs, Montpelier, and Kemmerer. Plan to fill up before leaving Idaho if you have a small tank, as Wyoming’s rural stretches can be sparse.

• Total driving time: 2h 50m (nonstop)
• Distance: 145 miles
• US-30/US-89 all the way
• No tolls
• Traffic: light, except during hunting season (Sept–Nov)

For real-time road conditions, call 511 in either state. The route is open year-round, but winter storms can close passes briefly.

Road quality is good, but watch for deer and elk at dawn and dusk, especially between Montpelier and Kemmerer. In winter, carry chains because the Border Summit can ice up quickly.

Family-friendly stops include the '''Lava Hot Springs Aquatic Center''' (water slides and soaking pools), the '''Soda Springs Geyser Park''', and the '''Fossil Butte Visitor Center''', which has hands-on fossil exhibits. Pets are welcome on leash at these outdoor locations, but not inside buildings.

For fatigue management, plan breaks at '''Pebble Creek''' (milepost 5) with picnic tables, and '''Bear Lake Overlook''' (milepost 14 on US-89) with panoramic views. '''Cokeville City Park''' also offers a quiet restroom stop.

Culinary options are simple: grab a burger at '''The Chowder House''' in Lava Hot Springs or a pie at '''Ray's Drive-In''' in Kemmerer. Remember to refuel your body with water; altitude and dry air can dehydrate you.

To enhance your trip, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Just outside Soda Springs, the '''Soda Point''' geyser erupts every hour to a height of 100 feet, a man-made oddity from 1937. Nearby, the Oregon Trail interpretive signs mark the historic crossing of the Bear River.

Fossil Butte National Monument, 15 miles west of Kemmerer, protects an ancient lakebed teeming with Eocene Epoch fish fossils. Visitors can see the famous 13-foot ''Knightia'' fish skeleton in the visitor center.

For a detour, turn south at Cokeville onto County Road 231 to reach the '''Raymond Mountain''' petroglyph site, a remote panel of bighorn sheep carvings. This is hidden gems territory, but a high-clearance vehicle is advised.

Local commerce thrives on small ranches; you may see sheep wagons near Montpelier in summer. The '''Bear Lake Raspberry''' stand at the junction of US-89 and ID-36 is a favorite stop.