Driving from Salt Lake City to Boise

Hey guy! First of all, let me thank you in advance for helping me in here. I%26#39;m from Singapore, and this will be my 2nd time visiting the US. However, this will be my 1st time visiting the US during Winter.

I will be spending 17 days in the states (LA - Palm Springs - Arizona - Vegas - Salt Lake - Boise - Portland - Red Bluff - San Francisco) (Mainly a golfing holiday)

I will post respective questions regarding different states in the respective forums.

Over here, I%26#39;d like to gather some info for my drive from Salt Lake City to Boise, ID. Please try to bear with me as some of the questions I ask may seem stupid to you....but coming from Singapore where we have no winter %26amp; no snow.....:(

1) On google, it says the drive from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City is 5hrs. Is that accurate? What are the driving conditions like during Jan from Salt Lake to Boise? Is it congested? Weather? Is it rainy? Will it be snowing?

2) I have some friends who told me that it will be snowing big time in Jan. Is that true? If so, will the roads be covered with snow hence causing some delay in my trip? Is it safe to drive? I have checked with Hertz and they said their cars are installed with All Weather Tires. What time does it get dark? Will it be more dangerous if we drive in the dark? (Difficult to see road conditions, blindspots etc...)

3) How much is the tax in Idaho in general? This tax thingy was a major culture shock to me when I visited last year. I%26#39;d like to be more prepared this time so I can work out my budget.

We%26#39;re planning to stay at the Best Western Vista Inn Airport (Boise)...any comments?

Thanks so much for your precious time in helping me plan my trip easier. Appreciate it lots!

Driving from Salt Lake City to Boise

Dear golf_vacations, one of my greatest teachers always said the only stupid question is the one you don%26#39;t ask!

Las Vegas to Salt Lake in 5 hours is very optimistic. I%26#39;d allow 8 hours. I have done that trip in January and had no trouble with the roads, but it just depends on the conditions.

It will be dark by 5:30 to 6 PM and even I, who grew up driving in winter conditions, prefer to drive only in daylight in the winter. Storms can blow up quickly at any time. There might also be animals such as deer on the road anywhere along the route from Las Vegas to Boise.

It might be snowing and it might not be. Something you need to watch out for is ice on the road. If it%26#39;s cold outside and you see something that looks like wet road, it%26#39;s very likely a patch of ice. Drive slowly.

The freeway from Salt Lake to Boise will only be congested near the cities. (Wave when you pass Twin Falls, that%26#39;s where I live!) You%26#39;ll go through some mountains where there may be ice or snow on the road. Again, allow plenty of time, at least 6-7 hours.

As for tax, there is 6% sales tax on all purchases in Idaho. There is a 2% room tax, and a 5% room tax in the Boise area. (Information from Idaho State Tax Commission website.)

I haven%26#39;t stayed at the Best Western Vista Inn but I have never had a bad room at a Best Western so you should be OK.

Have a great trip. I wish you good weather!

Pug

Driving from Salt Lake City to Boise

Thanks so much

Let me add a couple notes about Salt Lake City to Boise in the winter.

The portion of the road that concerns me most is from the Utah/Idaho state line to Eden.

Often, snow or ice doesn%26#39;t melt for a while along the stretch from Eden to Burley.

More important, I%26#39;ve been caught in a snowfall south of the I-84/I-86 junction. That%26#39;s a stretch of freeway that is prone to trouble from a crosswind and doesn%26#39;t have a lot of civilization for long stretches. There are times when I wondered if I was still on the freeway with all the snow and very little else to indicate being on the road.

Sweetzer Summit, further southeast, can be tricky in weather.

Fortunately, it%26#39;s mostly a desert region. Snow isn%26#39;t rare, but the odds are low of being caught in it on any given trip.

hello,

how long are you staying in boise??? i would opt for a better hotel, the ones by the airport are just rooms at best. let me know. we go all the time and i have great resturant suggestions, at least i think so!!1 enjoy

Hi, i am just staying there for 1 night. It is like a rest point for driving to Portland. Do u have anything in mind?