McCall to Buffalo: Idaho's Wild Heart to Wyoming's Frontier

This route from McCall, Idaho to Buffalo, Wyoming covers roughly 600 miles and takes about 10 hours of pure driving time, but you'll want at least two days to absorb the landscapes. The journey traces the old Oregon Trail in reverse, crossing the Snake River Plain and climbing into Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. A little-known fact: the Teton Range you'll skirt near Jackson Hole is actually a fault-block mountain range, one of the youngest in North America, still rising about 1-2 millimeters per year.

The drive passes through four distinct ecoregions: Idaho's ponderosa pine forests, the high desert sagebrush steppe, the volcanic tablelands of the Snake River, and the alpine meadows of the Bighorns. Unlike the interstate-dominated routes across Wyoming, this path uses US-20 and US-26 for much of the way, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape. If you're wondering is it worth driving McCall, ID to Buffalo, WY, the answer is a definitive yes—this is a journey through the geographic soul of the intermountain West.

The primary highways are US-95 south from McCall to US-20, then US-20 east to Idaho Falls, US-26 east to Jackson, and US-89/US-26 north to Moran Junction, then US-26/US-287 to Dubois, and US-26/20 east to Thermopolis, then Wyoming 196 north to US-16 into Buffalo. The road is almost entirely two-lane with passing lanes.

Fuel and Route Economics

Gas stations are sparse in central Idaho and Wyoming's Wind River Valley. Calculate fuel costs: at 25 mpg and $4/gal, expect about $96 for gas. Major fuel stops: Cascade, ID; Mountain Home, ID; Idaho Falls, ID; Jackson, WY; Dubois, WY; Thermopolis, WY.

• Plan to fill up when you have half a tank—stretches of 80+ miles without services exist east of Dubois.
• Diesel is available at most larger stations, but rural stations may close early.
• Electric vehicle charging: limited—Level 2 chargers in McCall, Idaho Falls, Jackson; Tesla Superchargers in Idaho Falls and Jackson only.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics

Summer (June-August): 70-85°F, afternoon thunderstorms common. Fall (Sept-Oct): crisp, 50-70°F, golden aspens. Winter (Nov-March): snow possible, roads plowed but chains or 4WD required in passes. Spring (April-May): mud season, high rivers.

• Best months: late May to early October.
• Sunset timing: in summer, aim to be off the road by 8 PM to avoid wildlife.
• Altitude: McCall is 5,000 ft; Teton Pass is 8,431 ft; Bighorn Mountains crest at 9,000 ft—altitude sickness rare but possible.

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

Leaving McCall, you descend through the Payette River canyon (gorgeous rapids for rafting). Near Cascade, the road runs along Lake Cascade. Then US-20 crosses the vast Idaho sagebrush flats—seemingly barren but dotted with geologic oddities like the Craters of the Moon National Monument lava fields (worth a detour).

• Craters of the Moon: 60 miles west of Idaho Falls, a surreal volcanic landscape with cinder cones and lava tubes. Entry $20/vehicle.
• Grand Teton National Park: from Jackson to Moran Junction, the east side of the Tetons offers classic views of the peaks rising abruptly from the valley.
• Bighorn National Forest: east of Ten Sleep, the road climbs over 9,000 feet with switchbacks and alpine meadows.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

While no UNESCO sites lie directly on the route, three are within a reasonable detour: Yellowstone National Park (north of Moran Junction, 1 hr), the human fossils of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD (unlikely detour), and the recently designated Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (Ohio, no). For a shorter detour, visit the National Historic Landmark at Fort Bridger, WY, a remnant of the Oregon Trail.

Culinary Infrastructure

McCall offers upscale dining (The Ruins, 15 E Lake St). In Idaho Falls, try the Snake Bite Cafe for elk burgers. Jackson is touristy but has standout options: Persephone Bakery for pastries, The Lift for fondue. Dubois is limited to The Gas Station Deli for decent sandwiches. Thermopolis has the Star Plunge Cafe. Buffalo's historic downtown has The Occidental Saloon for bison burgers.

• Packing snacks: the long stretches between towns make a cooler essential.
• Water: carry extra; Wyoming tap water can be sulfurous.

Local Commerce & Culture

Dubois is a quiet ranching town with a small museum for the Wind River Indian Reservation (Shoshone and Arapaho). Thermopolis is home to the world's largest mineral hot spring (free at the State Bath House). Buffalo's downtown has western-themed shops and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum.

• Souvenirs: look for local pine needle baskets in Dubois, and Wyoming jade in Thermopolis.
• Art galleries: Jackson has numerous high-end galleries; Buffalo has the Boomtown Gallery.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

The route is mostly well-maintained, but sections east of Jackson (US-26/287) can be narrow with soft shoulders. In winter, Teton Pass (Wyoming 22) is notorious for closures. Cell service: intermittent east of Dubois; download offline maps.

• Emergency: dial 911, but note that response times can exceed 30 minutes in remote areas.
• Road hazards: wildlife (elk, deer, moose, especially dawn/dusk), livestock on open range near Dubois.
• Speed limits: 55-65 mph on two-lane; 70 mph on divided highway near Idaho Falls.

Family and Child Suitability

This is a fantastic family road trip. Kids will love the lava tubes at Craters of the Moon (bring flashlights), the Teton visitor center with hands-on exhibits, and the Hot Springs in Thermopolis. Consider breaking the drive into 3-4 hour chunks.

• Best family stops: Craters of the Moon, Jackson Town Square (trampoline bouncers, arcade), Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis (free pool), and Buffalo's Walking Park.
• Boredom busters: audiobooks like the Little House series (prairie setting), car bingo with state license plates.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Most national forests and BLM land allow dogs on leash. National parks (Grand Teton) permit dogs only in developed areas and on paved trails. Hotels: La Quinta in Idaho Falls, Super 8 in Thermopolis, and the Best Western in Buffalo accept pets with fees ($20-50 per stay).

• Pet rest stops: rest areas often have grass, but beware of foxtails in summer.
• Hydration: carry a collapsible bowl; water sources are scarce in desert stretches.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Just north of Shoshone, ID, the ice caves at the Lava Hot Springs area (not the resort) are a 5-minute detour to a deep crack that stays 40°F year-round. Near Dubois, the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Area has bighorn sheep viewing towers (free). South of Ten Sleep, the Ten Sleep Canyon petroglyphs are accessible via a short hike ( 1 mile).

• Bonneville Speedway: unlikely but a fun trivia fact; this salt flat is 3 hours off-route.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Plan stops every 2 hours. Idaho rest areas on US-20 near Arco and near the Idaho Falls airport. Wyoming rest areas on US-26 near Riverton and on US-16 near the Bighorn National Forest entrance. Jackson has a large rest area with tourist info. Carry caffeine or energy snacks.

• Consider an overnight in Jackson (halfway point) to recharge.