Idaho Choices

MidlifeFlyer

MidlifeFlyer

Well-Known Member
I'm planing a trip from Denver to Coeur D'Alene in a few months. Looks like a fuel stop will be necessary and, since we'll be getting into the afternoon, it may turn into an overnight stay. Any suggestions? Pocatello and Boise have been suggested as possible alternatives.
 
You have a few choices heading that way. If you just want to stop for fuel and get some rest, then places like Pocatello or Twin Falls are ok. If you want to see some stuff around the city, staying around Boise would be a better option. If you fly into Nampa (KMAN) or Caldwell (KEUL), you won't get raped on the fuel and other fees that you'd pay at BOI. If you can make it a little further north, McCall would be a nice place to stop, too.
 
Thanks. That's really helpful information.

McCall would work as well as the Boise area.. My issue is fuel. I plan at a max of 4 hours with a 1-hour reserve. No-wind, McCall and Boise are just about the same at about 3.5 hours. An advantage to getting that far west is also that from the Boise/ McCall area, it looks like I can head due west and get out of the mountains altogether before heading north - perhaps somewhat increasing the chances of continuing on in the afternoon.

That was the reason for Pocatello - I'd make it there no problem even with a significant headwind.
 
Not sure what you'll be flying, but what's the routing you have in mind? Are you going to be going North/NW first towards Laramie and the Rock Springs, kinda like the Yellowstone6 Departure, then PIH, etc.

If you stop in Nampa, the fuel will be cheaper than Boise for sure, plus it's only about 20-25 mins. to downtown Boise if you want to head there. I used to work at the FBO in Nampa several years ago and we used to let people take the courtesy car overnight. Not sure if they still allow that. Send a PM to Speed Pilot, he used to work there recently.

Sun Valley would be a cool place to stop in too, but you'll definitely be paying an Arm/Leg for gas there.
 
McCall would probably be pushing it. It's an absolutley beautiful place but you WILL get raped on fuel there. Cascade has cheaper fuel and is only 20 miiles or so to the south. Pocatello would be a good stop. I used to work for the FBO in Nampa. Their prices are usually lower than Boise's but sometimes a little higher than Caldwell's, depending on when they got the last load in.

If you make it up to Coeur d'Alene, try to check out Sandpoint too. That's a beautiful area.

Edit: Yeah they'll still let you take the courtesy car overnight in Nampa as long as it's not in high demand that day. Avoid Sun Valley like the plague. Gas there is HORRIBLY expensive and since you're most likely in a piston single from the sounds of things, the service will suck. You'll literally have to go find someone and get in their face to get them to fuel you if you're not in a jet there. Even the turboprop guys sometimes get the cold shoulder.
 
CRJDriver said:
Not sure what you'll be flying, but what's the routing you have in mind? Are you going to be going North/NW first towards Laramie and the Rock Springs, kinda like the Yellowstone6 Departure, then PIH, etc.

If you stop in Nampa, the fuel will be cheaper than Boise for sure, plus it's only about 20-25 mins. to downtown Boise if you want to head there. I used to work at the FBO in Nampa several years ago and we used to let people take the courtesy car overnight. Not sure if they still allow that. Send a PM to Speed Pilot, he used to work there recently.

Sun Valley would be a cool place to stop in too, but you'll definitely be paying an Arm/Leg for gas there.
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I'll be flying a Bonanza VFR and the routing toward Boise is (big surprise for a mountain trip) direct. Closer to the Rockies departure than the Yellowstone (I'd be crossing into the mountains just south of ZIMMR on the Rockies departure.

Nampa and Caldwell both sound like a good choices for either a stay-over or a fuel stop.

Yeah, I thought of Sun Valley but checked the fuel price!

Thanks you you both!
 
Idaho Falls! Pocatello and Twin Falls are too far out of town if staying over night. At least in IDA, you're only a couple of minutes from most everything you'll need. I think it's also more in line from Denver. If all that doesn't sway you, I've heard that there's a couple of good Pilatus pilots that live there!
 
I suggest BOI. Opposite side of the field from the Jet Center. Turbo air or something like that. Self serve pumps. Real helpful staff. George will take care of you, crew car too if required.
 
McCall is beautiful...in my view, it was worth getting raped on fuel there, but I'm a sucker for beautiful country.

It's nice to know that there are places where one can still get a crew car.
 
I agree, McCall is a pretty area.

I don't know about 100LL but the Jet A in Pocatello is absolutely, over the top expensive! We round trip flights in there every chance we get. Twin seems a bit more reasonable, but it is 15 min outside of town so you would have to find a hotel that will pick you up. (The Red Lion gets the SkyW crews.) If you stay in Twin try to stay around the Snake River Gorge. It is worth looking at and if you are lucky someone will be base jumping. As mentioned Idaho Falls airport is almost in town, so most hotels would be close.

It is further East, but you won't beat the view in Driggs. Really good "$100 hamburger" there.
 
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