U.S. Route 93 in Idaho - Route Description

Route Description

US 93 enters southern Idaho from Nevada, immediately north of the border casino town of Jackpot. Heading northbound in Twin Falls County, it passes through Rogerson and Hollister towards Twin Falls. West of the city, US 93 turns and runs east–west for a few miles, concurrent with US 30. This section is Addison Avenue; the highway returns to its north–south orientation in Twin Falls at the intersection of Addison Avenue and Blue Lakes Boulevard.

North of Twin Falls, US 93 crosses the Snake River Canyon via the Perrine Bridge, 486 feet (148 m) above the water. Approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of the bridge, the highway intersects with Interstate 84 at exit 173.

Further north in Shoshone, US 93 connects with the southern terminus of State Highway 75, the former route of US 93 to Ketchum and over Galena Summit to Stanley and Clayton. Present-day US 93 diverts in a northeasterly route to Richfield, Carey, the Craters of the Moon, and Arco. Between Shoshone and Arco the highway runs concurrently with the east–west US 26, and also with US 20 between Carey and Arco.

From Arco, the highway turns northwest and climbs the Big Lost River valley through Mackay. This section provides views of the Lost River Range to the northeast of the highway, including Borah Peak, the highest point in the state at 12,662 feet (3,859 m) above sea level. Mackay Dam and reservoir are on the southwest side of the highway. The highway crosses the Willow Creek Summit at 7,161 feet (2,183 m) (web-cam) and later descends into Grand View Canyon and heads into the city of Challis.

US 93 creates the northern terminus of State Highway 75 just south of Challis and takes over as the northern leg of the Salmon River Scenic Byway. It descends with the Salmon River as it winds north around the edge of the Lost River and Lemhi mountain ranges into the city of Salmon at 4,004 feet (1,220 m).

Continuing north, the US 93 runs along portions of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The highway follows the descending northbound river until North Fork at 3,620 feet (1,100 m), where the Salmon River makes a left turn to flow west across the state to Riggins. US 93 continues north, climbing the North Fork of the Salmon River into the Bitterroot Range, passing through the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Gibbonsville. The highway exits Idaho at Lost Trail Pass (web-cam) at 7,014 feet (2,138 m) and enters Montana toward the Bitterroot Valley. West of the highway at the pass is the Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area, with terrain in both states.

• The Perrine Bridge near Twin Falls

• Grand View Canyon (US 93 between Mackay & Challis)

• Borah Peak, Idaho's tallest mountain, viewed from U.S. Route 93 in Idaho