McCall to Kemmerer: Scenic Drive Through Idaho & Wyoming

The route from McCall, Idaho to Kemmerer, Wyoming spans roughly 350 miles along US-95, US-20, and US-30, a journey that takes about 6 hours without stops. This corridor traces the historic Oregon Trail through sagebrush plains and mountain passes, where you'll cross the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7,000 feet near Teton Pass. Interestingly, just north of Kemmerer lies the Fossil Butte National Monument, home to one of the world's richest fossil fish deposits from the Eocene epoch.

Whether you're wondering how long to drive McCall to Kemmerer or if it's worth the trip, this guide covers everything: best stops McCall to Kemmerer, things to do between McCall and Kemmerer, and logistics. For more on finding hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality is generally good, but beware of wildlife: deer, elk, and even moose are common at dawn/dusk on US-95 and US-30. Snow and ice can close Teton Pass from November to April; always carry chains. Emergency services are sparse; nearest trauma center is in Idaho Falls (2 hours from Arco).

• Rest zones: recommend taking a 15-minute break every 2 hours. Top rest stops: New Meadows Scenic Overlook (mile 10), Craters of the Moon visitor center, Teton Pass summit.
• Family suitability: kid-friendly stops include the Idaho Falls Zoo and the Jackson Hole Children's Museum.
• Pet-friendly: most rest areas and national monuments allow leashed pets; Craters of the Moon permits pets on trails.

Hidden off-route gems: the town of Mackay (40 miles north of Arco) offers hot springs; the town of Soda Springs (50 miles east of Montpelier on US-30) has a geyser that erupts hourly. For fatigue management, the Sagebrush Saloon in Council serves strong coffee and pie.

• Culinary infrastructure: family diners in Arco (Pickle's Place) and Jackson (Bubba's Bar-B-Que).
• Cultural events: check for the McCall Winter Carnival (January) or Kemmerer Fossil Festival (August).

This drive is a visual feast: from McCall's pine forests and alpine lakes to the volcanic badlands near Craters of the Moon National Monument (off US-20, 20 miles south of Arco). The Snake River Plain reveals vast lava flows and sagebrush steppe, then rises into the Teton Range before dropping into Wyoming's high desert. UNESCO World Heritage Sites? None directly on route, but Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are within a detour from Jackson.

• Craters of the Moon: a lunar-like landscape of cinder cones and lava tubes (worth a 1-hour stop).
• Teton Pass: panoramic views of the Tetons; photo ops at the summit.
• Fossil Butte National Monument: 15 miles west of Kemmerer; 50-million-year-old fish fossils.

Local commerce thrives in small towns. In Cambridge, Idaho, try the hand-dipped ice cream at the Cambridge Mercantile. Arco boasts the first city in the world lit by nuclear power in 1955; the museum is quirky. Jackson is a tourist hub with upscale galleries and cowboy bars. Kemmerer is the birthplace of J.C. Penney; visit the original store and the Fossil Butte visitor center.

• McCall: spendy resort town with craft breweries.
• Mountain Home: fast-food clusters, but try the Basque-owned cafe for chorizo breakfast.
• Kemmerer: mineral and fossil shops, plus the Kemmerer Dinosaur Museum.

The route begins on McCall's main drag, running south on ID-55 to connect with US-95 at New Meadows. From there, US-95 takes you through Council and Cambridge before merging with US-20/US-26 at Parma. Follow US-20 east across the Snake River Plain, passing through Boise's northern fringe and Mountain Home. At Arco, turn onto US-26 east to Idaho Falls, then take US-30 north through Swan Valley into Wyoming via Teton Pass (elevation 8,431 ft). Descend into Jackson Hole, then continue southeast on US-189/US-191 through Hoback Canyon to Kemmerer.

• Fuel stops every 50-70 miles; fill up in McCall, Cambridge, Mountain Home, Arco, Idaho Falls, Jackson, and Kemmerer.
• Rest areas: near New Meadows (ID-55), near Mountain Home (US-20), and at Teton Pass summit.
• Road conditions: Teton Pass can be treacherous in winter; check Wyoming 511.

Cell service is intermittent between Mountain Home and Arco, and again in the Teton Pass area. Download offline maps before leaving McCall. For eco-conscious travelers, electric vehicle charging stations are sparse beyond Boise; plan for Level 2 charging in Idaho Falls or Jackson.

• Gasoline prices: McCall (~$3.50/gal), Kemmerer (~$3.20/gal) as of 2025.
• Diesel widely available at truck stops along US-20.