Coeur d'Alene to Craters of the Moon Route?

[avan]

So I'm in Sandpoint just north of Coeur d'Alene and want to go to Craters of the Moon Nat'l Monument. It would appear that there are two logical routes.

1) US95 S thru Moscow, Grangeville, then 55 south to Boise, then I84 to Mountain Home and then US20 East to Craters. or
2) I90 from CdA to Missoula, then US93 south to Arco/Craters.

Anyone travel it both ways? Comments on either route.

[avan]

Thank you. Doesn't seem to be an overwhelming sentiment so I'll head there via Missoula in the am.

[paulj]

If going down US95, you could skip Boise by staying in the mountains - McCall, Lowman, Stanley.

[obgraham]

Going there next week also, but from Moscow I'm wandering through the valleys, US93 to SR28, to Arco from the Northeast.

No reason to go to Boise. Traffic there is a mess.

[Murphsmom]

I lived in central Idaho for 20 years. If I had my "druthers" I would choose the route through Missoula if your main objective is to get to the Craters without doing any other sightseeing on the way. Don't get me wrong. There is a lot of interesting country on the 90/93 route, but you would only have to negotiate one city going that way. I don't know what the size of your rig is, but there isn't anything too terribly difficult about the route...just take your time on the passes.