Boise to Salt Lake City road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best stops on a Boise to Salt Lake City road trip are Three Island Crossing State Park, Shoshone Falls and Antelope Island. By car, the distance from Boise to Salt Lake City is 340 miles, with a 4h55m driving time.
Planning a Boise to Salt Lake City road trip
A Boise to Salt Lake City road trip connects the capital of Idaho to the Mormon centre of the universe in Utah.
Great Boise experiences include half day whitewater rafting trips and Amazing Race-style scavenger hunts.
Top Salt Lake City experiences include Great Salt Lake boat tours, trips to the world’s largest copper mine and walking tours around highlights such as Temple Square and Pioneer Park.
Boise to Salt Lake City distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Boise to Salt Lake City is 340 miles. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and 55 minutes.
The quickest Boise to Salt Lake City driving route is almost entirely along the I-84. The best stops to add to a Boise to Salt Lake City road trip itinerary are Three Island Crossing State Park, Shoshone Falls and Antelope Island.
Boise to Salt Lake City road trip stops: Three Island Crossing State Park
Three Island Crossing State Park, on the Snake River near the Glenn Ferry exit of the I-84 in Idaho, is a good place for hiking, mountain biking and camping. But it’s the cultural and historic aspects of this state park that make it memorable.
This was a key point on the Oregon Trail, partly because it was one of the easiest places to cross the Snake River.
Three Island Crossing State Park has self-guided trails taking in decades-old wagon ruts and replica wagons. The Oregon Trail History and Education Center, meanwhile, tells rich stories about the 19th century pioneers.
Boise to Salt Lake City drive: Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River in Idaho is taller than Niagara Falls and – particularly in spring – it rivals the more famous falls for power and water flow.
Near the town of Twin Falls, Idaho, Shoshone Falls drops over a 300 metre rim and kicks up a thunderous spray.
You can organise a Shoshone Falls tour from Twin Falls, or drive yourself and view the majesty from one of three viewpoints.
Boise to Salt Lake City road trip: Antelope Island
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Utah’s Great Salt Lake was something of a dead zone where nothing can survive, but Antelope Island in the middle of it is a surprising wildlife refuge. Thousands of birds cluster around the coastline, feeding on brine flies. But it’s the creatures on the island’s hillsides that tend to thrill visitors. Deer and pronghorn antelope compete for space with huge herds of chunky bison. The latter have a tendency to saunter across the road in front of your car…
More Salt Lake City road trips
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