Boise, Idaho Falls, Sun Valley -- getting around

I am very confused now. I wish to visit a friend in Sun Valley.

The cheapest available flight from Saginaw, MI, to Sun Valley direct is $1,600 which is still expensive.

To save cost, I can fly to Boise or Idaho Falls which takes more than three times less the price flying into Sun driectly!

Problem is, I have to drive eitehr from Boise or Idaho Falls to Sun Valley.

Questions: (1) which way is a nicer drive, i.e. less challenging based on the road conditions; and (2) which is shorter?

Any other comments would be very much appreciated.

Boise, Idaho Falls, Sun Valley -- getting around

Hi

you forgot about flying into Twin Falls much closer than both I thought I would just add more to your confusion sorry

but Boise is bigger and better airport and only 3 hr or so drive to sun valley plus mostly interstate high way .'; unless you take route 20 at mountain home ';only worry about roads in winter time.

I think the first time you drive across southern Idaho it is a beautiful drive large vista%26#39;s and the desert is interesting it only gets boreing after driveing it many times.

I wouldn%26#39;t be afraid of driving from either city much easyer driving here than in midwest.much less traffic.

Boise, Idaho Falls, Sun Valley -- getting around

Dear Single Traveller, according to Mapquest, it%26#39;s 172 miles from Boise to Sun Valley and 159 from Idaho Falls to Sun Valley. The drives are pretty comparable, mostly 2 lane highway. The last poster is right in saying that the roads are good and there%26#39;s not much traffic. Depending on the time of year, you might meet a herd of sheep or some farm equipment on the road!

An interesting sight on the way from Idaho Falls to Sun Valley is Craters of the Moon, with fairly young lava flows.

I%26#39;d say whichever is the most convenient airport is the one to fly into. Also consider if you%26#39;ll be spending the night -- Boise is more cosmopolitan, Idaho Falls more of an agricultural town.

Have a great trip!

Pug

Thank you both - Sawadeeka and IdahoPug. I feel much more comfortable with the drive now. I think I will go for Idaho Falls because I am not going to stay the night on the road. And I would very much love to stop and wait for a herd of sheep or elks to cross the street (smile).

IdahoPug, your confirmation of the two lanes street helped a lot. I can be tense when there are more than two lanes (for me) to handle.

Visiting my friend is the main purpose of the trip, but I%26#39;d love to learn more about Idaho while I%26#39;m there. Driving between Idaho Falls and Sun Valley should be an added fond memory to the four-day trip.

Thanks again!!

try twin falls, and HANDS DOWN, the drive from Boise is MUCH better...MUCH better. It winds through the mountains, lots of flowers, different scenery. and from Idaho falls, you just see Lave most of the way, not to say that this is not pretty, but oh, the trip from Boise is much better.

Okay, I am between Boise and Idaho Falls now. Please help me to decide ...

(1) It is 3.5 hours drive between Boise and Sun Valley, right? There is clear road signs and I shouldn%26#39;t get loss and end up in no where, right?

(2) Except from the first 30 minutes, all are two-lane roads to Sun Valley?

(3) It%26#39;s easy to stop and rest, like you can do in Yellow Stone Park, correct?

Sorry for being extra cautious, I am a little nervous about driving in places that I am not familiar with. The more information you can feed me, the more I will feel comfortable with the drive. Thanks!!

Are you asking if there are plenty of stops along the way for snacks, gas, and the like? Or are you worried about what happens if you stop to sightsee?

If the latter, the two-lane roads are lightly traveled. No problems.

If the former... there are some stretches where there%26#39;s not much, especially between Mountain Home and Fairfield on US 20 (if taking the Boise route). I think Idaho Falls to Arco is also rather barren, and choices in towns like Arco, Carey, Picabo, and Fairfield are slim. Be prepared.

This is a no brainer...as the last poster said, it is barren, like barren between Idaho Falls and SV. Going from Boise, you are on the freeway, 75 miles per hour, for about 50 minutes. You turn left at the Pilot station. by then, you have seen many signs for Sun Valley, Fairfield ect. YOU WON%26#39;T GET LOST. You can stop ANYWHERE, and enjoy all the different, wide open spaces. Depends if you want to see lava and sage, or open fields, grassy slopes, and lots of trees and streams.

The drive from Boise to SV is 2 1/4 hours. Very safe, stop enjoy and have a good old time. It is a 2 lane road, very easy to drive, unless you are rubbernecking to see all the beautiful spots...ha

To all who have replied to this post -- THANK YOU. Can%26#39;t thank you enough, you are the best!

I just found out that there%26#39;s a van/bus transfer service between Boise Airport and Wood River Valley. So I have another option, in addition to driving!

check the bus out .not sure if it runs in the summer. the drive is grand. if you have more time, check out going north to banks, then to loman, stanley and then sv. think that this takes 3 1/2 hours. you go by the payette river and lots of wonderful countryside...so nice.

If you%26#39;re in IF and you have a car, you really should take time to visit Mesa Falls. It%26#39;s a loop off the highway north of IF, but the scenery is SO worth the time.

If you change your mind and fly into Boise, be sure to take the road through Mtn Home and now Lowman--far less scenic, but much straighter and without the mountains!!!

CathyB