Stanley to Evanston: Epic Idaho-Wyoming Road Trip Guide

Leaving Stanley, ID (elevation 6,260 ft), you traverse the Ponderosa Pine forests of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area before climbing over Galena Summit (8,701 ft) on State Highway 75—the highest paved pass in Idaho. The route then arcs southeast across the Snake River Plain, joins I-84/I-86, and finally descends into the high desert of southwestern Wyoming, ending at Evanston (elevation 6,748 ft) on I-80.

This 440-mile journey passes through the ancestral lands of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and offers a cross-section of the Intermountain West, from glacial peaks to volcanic badlands. It is a drive of stark contrasts and surprising solitudes.

Along the way, you'll encounter the ghost town of Custer (once a gold-mining hub), the fossil beds of Fossil Butte National Monument, and the Bear River Massacre site. The route also skirts the Oregon Trail's historic Sublette Cutoff, where wagon ruts still scar the prairie.

Travel time is typically 7 to 8 hours of pure driving, but plan a full day to absorb the scenery and detours.

Road quality is generally good, but watch for potholes on ID-75 and deer crossings at dawn/dusk. The section through Idaho Falls (on I-15) is a busy commercial strip—stay alert. In winter, carry chains; Galena Summit often requires traction tires.

Fatigue management is critical on this long, monotonous stretch. The route has several designated rest stops, notably at the Bliss interchange and near Evanston.

For families, the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot (provides a giant potato model, classic photo op) and Fossil Butte National Monument (junior ranger program) are engaging. The site of the Bear River Massacre, now a park, offers a somber history lesson suitable for older children.

Pets are welcome at most roadside rest areas, but leash laws are strict in national forests and parks. Only Fossil Butte allows pets on trails; keep them leashed and clean up. The route includes several dog-friendly motels in Pocatello and Evanston, but book ahead.

Hidden off-route gems include the City of Rocks National Reserve (via a 30-mile detour from I-84 near Burley) with its towering granite spires, and the quieter side roads around the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for sandhill cranes.

The route showcases three distinct geological provinces: the granitic Sawtooth Mountains, the volcanic plains of the Snake River (including the eerie Craters of the Moon lava fields just west of the route), and the sedimentary ridges of the Wyoming Overthrust Belt. This diversity is a magnet for geologists and photographers alike.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site? No—the nearby Yellowstone National Park (about 85 miles north of the route) holds that honor. However, the route passes within 20 miles of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and is a critical corridor for pronghorn antelope migration.

In Stanley, stop at Stanley Baking Company for their famous cinnamon rolls, a local staple. In Lava Hot Springs (east of Pocatello), soak in the natural mineral pools that have attracted travelers for over a century. In Evanston, the historic roundhouse (built 1912) houses the city's museum, preserving railroad heritage.

Local commerce along the route is characterized by small, family-owned gas stations and diners. In Montpelier, the Bear Lake Spud Drive-In offers potato-based specialties, a nod to the region's agricultural roots.

The optimal path follows ID-75 south to US-20/US-26, then joins I-84 east at Bliss. At Burley, take I-86 east to I-84 again, which becomes I-80 at the Wyoming border. Expect 40 miles of construction zones near Pocatello and Evanston.

Fuel is plentiful in towns (Ketchum, Carey, American Falls, Pocatello, Soda Springs, Montpelier, Evanston), but the 90-mile stretch between Carey and American Falls has limited services. Gas prices are typically $0.10-$0.20 cheaper in Wyoming due to lower taxes.

• Bring a paper map; cellular coverage is spotty in the mountains and remote stretches.
• Carry cash for small-town merchants, some do not accept cards.
• Download offline maps for the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and Fossil Butte area.
• Check weather forecasts; snow is possible at high elevations from September to May.