McCall, ID to Idaho Falls Avoiding Boise

Paulj:
Thats how I remember Banks to Lowman, gravel a little more than Forest Service Road. I think it was about same time as you in 1991!

Idaho DOT reports some construction along this route

- 55 before the Banks turn off has major construction work; they recommend US95 for larger vehicles. (traffic on 55 can be heavy around holidays and weekends because it's the main route between the big city and the mountain resorts.)

- 21 east of Lowman is getting chipseal work, which is messy to drive past.

- I84 has some shoulder and median work, but nothing that would slow traffic.

US95 to I84 might well be the smoothest driving, even if it's a bit longer.

The drive through the mountains via Lowman is nice, but best if you take time to camp and test the hot springs.

Just remember that "Summertime" is also "Construction Season". Avoiding the Interstate highway means smaller roads often with only a single lane in each direction. When you hit construction zones they are often single lane with a pilot car and can often have waits up to an hour before the pilot car is ready to take you in the direction you want to go.

My late wife and I made the same trip back in the late 90's and were lucky enough to encounter two of those situations as we traveled the back roads to Idaho Falls from McCall. At least while towing our trailer we had our kitchen and bathroom available while we sat and waited, waited, waited------

Banks to Lowman is not bad. It curves some because it follows a river, but that also means it doesn't climb. It was gravel when I took it in 1991, but it's paved now. Further east it climbs to a broad pass before Stanley, but nothing steep.

More river side drive on 73 to Challis and Salmon. 75 to the south has a twistier stretch, but I haven't driven that. I'd go the Challis, and then US93 down a broad valley to IF.

Banks to Lowman is narrow and crooked. Been many years since we went that way.
Not sure it is now!