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HomeRoad TripsNorth AmericaUnited StatesWest USAIdahoSalmon River
Idaho

Salmon River Road Trip

Stanley - Clayton - Salmon - Victor - Missoula

Expect on your itinerary

Security Security
Landscape Landscape
Road conditions Road conditions
Benefit-stress ratio Benefit-stress ratio
Comfort Comfort
Wildlife Wildlife
Urban life Urban life
Culture Culture
Salmon River Road Trip ACTIVATE MAP Stages4 km411 h/stage1.3

Best months to drive

I II III IV V VI
VII VIII IX X XI XII

Road Trip Costs

How much does it cost to go on a Salmon River Road Trip in Idaho?

Economy
Low budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 135EUR drive & more 50EUR sleep & more 242EUR eat & more 216EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 508EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 643EUR
Standard
Mid budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 162EUR drive & more 75EUR sleep & more 352EUR eat & more 324EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 751EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 913EUR
Premium
High budget options by car rental, accommodation and catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 270EUR drive & more 100EUR sleep & more 594EUR eat & more 432EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 1,126EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 1,396EUR
Camper
On the road in RV, overnight at camp grounds with self-catering. In- and Out-bound travel expenses are not included.
rent & more 675EUR drive & more 113EUR sleep & more 165EUR eat & more 216EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) 494EUR Total (est. for 2 prs.) incl. rented car 1,169EUR
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Salmon River Road Trip Itinerary

Welcome to the Salmon River Road Trip! This scenic route starts in the city of Stanley, United States, and ends in Missoula, United States, covering a distance of 411 km. With moderate budget, this road trip can be managed in 3 days. The best time to drive this route is during the summer months, when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are lush. The first stop is Clayton, where you can explore its historic buildings and monuments. Next stop is the Salmon, the “Heart of the River of No Return Wilderness”, where you can take in the stunning views and experience the great outdoors. Finally, you’ll arrive in Victor, a small town with plenty of outdoor activities and attractions. The roads along this route are generally in good condition, making it suitable for every driver. So, grab your bags and get ready for a memorable road trip!
number of days 3 number of days
route length 411 km route length
budget fair budget
good for tourist good for
traffic direction on the right traffic direction
accident level moderate accident level

START Stanley

Distance 411 km Driving time 5.3 h Pace: fast 123.2 kWh Airports BOI
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Stanley, Idaho is the perfect starting point for the "Salmon River Road Trip". Located in central Idaho, Stanley is a small town surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, and lush green meadows. From Stanley, you can explore and marvel at the beauty of the nearby Sawtooth Mountains and the Salmon River. For those flying into Idaho, the closest international airport is Boise Airport (BOI). Car rentals are available at the airport, making it a convenient starting point for your road trip. Once in Stanley, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. For those looking for something a bit more low-key, Stanley also offers a variety of art galleries and shops to explore. You can also take a drive along the Salmon River and marvel at the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. No matter what you choose to do in Stanley, you'll be sure to have an unforgettable experience. So grab your car and head off on an adventure in Stanley, Idaho – the perfect starting point for your "Salmon River Road Trip".

1 Stanley - Clayton

Distance 53 km Driving time 0.9 h Pace: fast 16.0 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Welcome, road-trippers! This stage of your tour starts in Stanley, United States and takes you on a 33 mile journey to Clayton. It's a journey that can be completed in less than an hour, but it's full of interesting places to explore. In Stanley, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the historic Stanley Museum, which houses a variety of artifacts and memorabilia from the area's past. You can also take a hike around the Stanley Lake Trail, which offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding countryside. When you reach Clayton, make sure to visit the Clayton Historical Museum. The museum is full of artifacts and stories from the area's past, and it's a great place to learn more about the history of the area. You can also visit the Clayton State Park, where you can take a leisurely stroll through the woods and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. At the end of your journey, you'll have seen some of the most interesting places in Stanley and Clayton. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

2 Clayton - Salmon

Distance 133 km Driving time 1.7 h Pace: fast 39.9 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Are you ready for a road trip between Clayton and Salmon? This stage of your journey is only 83 miles long and will take you less than two hours to complete. Start your journey in Clayton, where you can visit the beautiful White Mountain National Forest, offering stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Here, you can also explore the quaint streets of the town, and visit the local shops and restaurants. Next, make your way to Salmon, a small city known for its historical and cultural attractions. Here, you can take a stroll down the Salmon River, visit the Salmon River Museum, or explore the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This stage of your journey is just a part of a larger tour. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the itinerary for this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready to explore the beauty and culture of Clayton and Salmon!

3 Salmon - Victor

Distance 168 km Driving time 2.1 h Pace: fast 50.5 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Welcome, road-trippers! Get ready for an amazing journey from Salmon, United States to Victor. This is one of the stages of an incredible tour, and you'll be able to explore some of the most interesting places in the area. Start your trip in Salmon, where you can visit the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center, which has an amazing collection of artifacts related to the Native American culture. You can also visit the Lemhi County Historical Museum, which exhibits a variety of historical items, including clothing and tools. The next stop is Victor, a city of breathtaking beauty. Here you can visit the Bannock County Historical Museum, with its impressive collection of artifacts and photographs, or you can go to the Victor City Park, which has a playground and picnic areas. The journey from Salmon to Victor is a short one, with a distance of 105 miles and a driving time of fewer than two hours. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

4 Victor - Missoula

Distance 56 km Driving time 0.7 h Pace: fast 16.8 kWh View map Itinerary
junction of road trips accommodation options
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Welcome to the road trip stage between Victor and Missoula! This beautiful stage of the tour is only 35mi long and can be completed in fewer than 1 hour. Get ready to explore the best of both cities! In Victor, you can visit the Victor Park, a great place for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. You can also take a tour of the Victor School Museum to learn about the history of the area. Your next stop is Missoula, where you can explore the spectacular views of the Bitterroot Mountains. Don't miss the chance to visit the Missoula Art Museum and the Historical Museum of Montana. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

  Missoula

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Missoula is the perfect ending point for the Salmon River Road Trip. This vibrant city in the heart of western Montana offers plenty of attractions and activities for visitors. Start by exploring the outdoors - there's no shortage of hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as excellent fishing and kayaking in the nearby rivers. The nearby Lolo National Forest is also home to an array of wildlife, making it a great spot for wildlife spotting. If you're more of a culture vulture, there's plenty to explore in Missoula. Take a stroll around the historic downtown area, where you can find plenty of independent shops, eateries, and galleries. There are also plenty of art galleries, museums, and live music venues to explore. For visitors arriving by air, the closest international airport is the Missoula International Airport (MSO), located just seven miles from the city center. No matter what your interests, Missoula is the perfect place to end your Salmon River Road Trip. With its abundance of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and great eateries, you'll never be short of things to do in this vibrant Montana city.

Salmon River Road Trip at a glance

We have no doubt that our itinerary will become a great inspiration for your future travels.
Our itinerary can be used as a template that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with interesting beauty spots.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a bunch of things to bear in mind to make your road adventure safe. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who opt for car hire or hiring a camper.
When you’re driving around Idaho, you should be mindful of the local road regulations. To be on the safe side, try avoiding alcoholic beverages at any cost. Holidaymakers should remember that the permitted consumption limit is very low and amounts to only 0.5‰. Never exceed the allowed speed limit when driving around the the city streets, which is 40km/h. Outside the cities, travellers can travel at the maximum permissible speed of 72km/h. On motorways, avoid exceeding the maximum speed of 129km/h. In order to stay safe, we recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your vehicle with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
The majority of drivers wonder about the costs of the whole tour. Well, the money that you have to pay depends on the budget option of your choice. Below, you will find the budget possibilities.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 411km across Idaho will amount to 50 EUR. Economy accommodation options will cost travellers more or less 242 EUR. You should also take into consideration the fact that you will spend around 216 EUR for food and restaurants in this option. Travellers will have to pay approximately 135 EUR if they opt for the budget rental car offer as well. Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from approximately 508 EUR to roughly 643 EUR.
Travellers who seek greater comfort and the standard option will pay approximately 75 EUR for the fuel needed to cover the itinerary. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses can amount up to about 352 EUR. Food and restaurants from the standard range will cost approximately 324 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire vehicle should expect a cost of around 162 EUR. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay more or less 913 EUR for the whole trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend about 751 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will come up to the expectations of the most demanding drivers. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total approximately 1,396 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering car rental and 751 EUR for those who will not be renting. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium rental vehicle should expect a cost of around 270 EUR. In the top standard version of the itinerary, the gasoline cost will be up to about 100 EUR. Travellers who will go for top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay around 432 EUR for restaurants and food and more or less 594 EUR for accommodation.
Salmon River Road Trip can be easily adjusted to the needs of all camper lovers. When it comes to this travel means, the expenses may amount to approximately 675 EUR. Travel costs connected with camper travel will be around 113 EUR – especially if you would like to cover all the stages around Idaho. Drivers who choose camper hire should expect to pay about 165 EUR for overnight stays and about 216 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs presents all the presented expenses in detail.
The part of Idaho mentioned in our adventure idea is great to be visited between May and October. If Salmon River Road Trip has inspired you, you should definitely check out other intriguing scenic drives and road trips that we offer on our website. Even the most demanding of holidayers will definitely be taken aback by the great diversity of travel opportunities available on our website.

Facts for safer driving in Idaho

drink drive limit drink drive limit 0.5
max speed urban max speed urban 40 km/h
max speed rural max speed rural 72 km/h
max speed highway max speed highway 129 km/h
headlights at daytime headlights at daytime off
fire extinguisher fire extinguisher yes
tolls tolls yes
seat belts seat belts yes

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