Boise to McCall Road Trip
The Payette River Scenic Byway: river canyon, mountain valleys and a lakeside town.
| Distance | About 110 miles from Meridian (about 106 from downtown Boise) |
|---|---|
| Drive time | About 2 hours each way without stops |
| Route | Meridian / Eagle → ID-55 north through Horseshoe Bend, Banks, Smiths Ferry, Cascade and Donnelly to McCall |
| Best season | Late spring to early fall (check for snow/ice outside summer) |
The route, stop by stop
- Eagle8 mi · ~15 min from MeridianTop up fuel and coffee. ID-55 begins here and heads north.
- Horseshoe Bend~30 mi · ~45 minWhere the road drops into the Payette River canyon. Great first stretch with sweeping curves.
- Banks & the Payette River~45 mi · ~1 hrPopular rafting and kayaking put-in. The canyon section has limited passing, so relax and enjoy the river.
- Smiths Ferry & Cascade~85 mi · ~1 hr 40 minThe canyon opens into wide mountain valleys. Lake Cascade is a good stop for photos and a stretch.
- Donnelly (Tamarack Resort area)~100 mi · ~1 hr 55 minSki-resort country with restaurants and mountain views.
- McCall & Payette Lake~110 mi · ~2 hrLakeside downtown, Ponderosa State Park nearby and plenty of dining. Stay the night or return the same day.
Times are approximate cumulative drive times in normal traffic, without stops.
Tips for driving this route
- Start early. Summer weekend traffic between Boise and McCall builds through the morning, and the canyon has few passing zones.
- Fuel: fill up in Eagle or Horseshoe Bend.
- Wildlife & cyclists: deer at dusk, plus cyclists on the shoulder.
- Mileage: a round trip is about 220 miles, so check the mileage allowance on the Turo listing and add extra miles if needed.
- Off-season: the road is generally open year-round, but snow and ice are possible outside summer. Check Idaho 511.
Where to eat and what to do in McCall
- Walk downtown McCall and the lakefront on Payette Lake.
- Visit Ponderosa State Park for a peninsula drive and lake views.
- Grab lunch downtown, then return before dusk for wildlife safety.
Explore other day trips and drives from the Treasure Valley.
How booking works: it happens on Turo
Boise Luxury Rentals is an independent local host on Turo, the world's largest car-sharing marketplace. This website is our showcase. All reservations, payments, insurance/protection plans and trip terms are handled by Turo, not on this site. Click Book on Turo to see live pricing and availability.
Book the Corvette on Turo Secure checkout on Turo. Live dates & pricing.
Common questions
Can I take the Corvette on a road trip to McCall or Sun Valley?
Mileage limits and allowed trip areas are set on the Turo listing. If you are planning a longer drive, check the daily mileage allowance and consider adding extra miles when booking. Our McCall and Sun Valley guides have full route breakdowns.
Where do I book the car?
All bookings, payments and trip agreements are completed on Turo. Use any "Book on Turo" button on this site and it will take you straight to the Corvette listing. We do not take bookings or payments through this website.
Is the Corvette hard to drive?
The modern mid-engine Corvette is surprisingly easy to drive around town with an automatic dual-clutch transmission. It is low and wide though, so take driveways and parking-lot speed bumps slowly. It is very quick, so build up to spirited driving gradually.
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