Idaho 20 from Yellowstone to Bosie

[Twotoes]

I am traveling from West Yellowstone to Bosie. Thinking of taking Hwy 20 thru Craters of the Moon rather than the interstate. How is this drive?

[HamRad]

How is? Good question. I've not ever gone that direction but it sure looks good on paper! Or GPS. I'd definitely take it just to see something different. Enjoy your trip. Dennis

[Al F]

We traveled the part of US-20 near Crater of the Moon and it was good.

 

From my perspective, US-20 is a US highway, not a rural route or a county hwy, which may not have painted center stripes. I don't hesitate driving on any US or state highway and I have very very seldom found them undriveable.

 

I always approach our travels from the perspective, as long as I don't have to meet a deadline, and I limit my planned travel to around 100-200 miles in a day, it matters little to me what paved highway I take. If run into something I don't want to drive across, I turn around or back out.

 

If I have any question at all about the highway, I use Google Earth to look at the route. Most of the time with Google Earth you can view a ground level 360 degree view of the highway.

 

I'm sure if I was in a HDT pulling a 40' 5th wheel I would feel different.

[2gypsies]

We've driven Hwy 20 a few times with our 40' motorhome from Idaho Falls over to I-84. It poses no problems and saves some miles rather than taking I-86/I-84 to Boise. We stayed in Craters of the Moon Nat'l Monument but there's a RV park in Arco called Mountain View. You didn't state what you're driving but if fuel will be an issue fill up in Idaho Falls and I believe Arco has fuel...check on Gas Buddy.

[Yarome]

Just made that drive 3 weeks ago. Smooth sailing... low traffic... larger rigs aren't any problem. As 2gypsies stated, you'll save some mileage, but not time. It's a much nicer drive than the interstate though. I agree.. fill up in Idaho Falls and plan your travel during business hours. By 6pm just about everything is closed.. even the majority of gas stations.

 

Some construction merging in and out of a 2 lane, but I wouldn't expect any major delays.

[w4whh]

The highway is much more scenic than the Interstate. Fuel in Idaho Falls, Mountain Home, or Boise. Gas in Mountain Home is about 20 cents/gallon cheaper than Boise. Mountain Home diesel is about 15 cents less. There is a nice roadside rest area at the intersection of Hwy 20 and 93. I taken my 40' 5vr over the road many times with no issues.

[bobsallyh]

The only problem you could have is if HK Contractors based out of Idaho Falls (Black and Yellow logos on vehicles) is doing road work. If they are grinding off old asphalt, then come to an area where they aren't grinding the surface off, ex. concrete bridge, beware. They don't put cold patch or anything else to ease the difference. 35 MPH work zone, then a big sign "BUMP" 25 feet before the launch pad! They also do a lot of Federal work in Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP.

[Chad Heiser]

I took highway 20 from West Yellowstone to Idaho falls with my HDT, 5er and Jeep in tow (78 1/2' total length). It was an easy drive in June. I did get on the interstate in Idaho Falls to continue on to the WCR in Caldwell, ID. I did it in a day. The main reason I got on the interstate at Idaho Falls was so I could hit the Blue Beacon in Jerome, ID to shine up my rig before we arrived at the WCR.