Top 10 Road Trip Ideas in Idaho

Idaho is a state that is rich in history and natural beauty. It is located in the Pacific Northwest area near the United States’ West Coast. Idaho is rich in heritage, and it is believed that humans may have inhabited the Idaho area for 14,500 years.

Idaho’s nickname is “The Gem State,” due to a large number of genuine stones and gems found in the state of Idaho. Prospectors, collectors, and miners visit Idaho regularly to locate these genuine stones.

American Indian tribes have occupied much of the great state of Idaho for many years. But it is also home to some others who enjoy the beauty and natural scenery of Idaho.

Idaho is bordered by British Columbia to the north, and Montana and Wyoming are to the east.

When you visit Idaho, there are many different places you can visit that are wonderful to see.

If you are looking to visit Idaho in the near future and need auto insurance, start comparison shopping by entering your ZIP code above!

Car Insurance Laws in Idaho

If you are planning a trip to Idaho soon, you should consider whether you are going to drive your car or fly and rent a car once you arrive.

If you rent a car in the state of Idaho, you should be aware that there are specific insurance and driving laws in the state that may be different from your own.

Knowing about these requirements before your trip can ensure that you don’t land in any unexpected legal troubles.

Liability requires in Idaho are:

• $25,000 per accident for personal injury
• $50,000 per person for each accident for personal injury liability
• $15,000 for property damage per accident

Fault vs. No-Fault

Idaho is a “fault” insurance state. Being a “fault” state means that when you are considered negligent or “at fault” in any car accident, your insurance must be the one to pay for the damages.

If you are not at fault, then the other person’s insurance would pay if they were negligent. However, Idaho’s laws do not take under or uninsured motorists into account.

In other words, if you are hit or injured by a driver who is not carrying enough insurance (or any insurance at all), you may still have to pay for the damages.

Laws Regarding Rentals in Idaho

When renting a car while on a road trip in the state of Idaho, you should keep in mind what the law states. Car insurance that is owned by the car rental company will take precedence over the insurance of the driver.

If you are taking a road trip in the state of Idaho and renting a car, you need to find out what the insurance covers in the event of a collision.

You may also want to purchase some temporary gap insurance that would fill in if the insurance they are carrying on the rental is not enough.

Idaho Financial Responsibility Law

All drivers in the state of Idaho are required to have proof of valid insurance if stopped by a routine traffic stop. However, police officers may not stop a person on suspicion of expired or uninsured status alone. They do not scan drivers’ plates for insurance status on a regular basis.

If you are caught without insurance, however, you are automatically fined $75 for a first offense and up to $1000 for a second offense.

The “slow poke laws” that are present in many states apply to Idaho only in a limited sense. If you are driving under 45 mph, you are supposed to stay in the right lane as much as possible to avoid being hit by faster drivers.

Staying in the right lane is supposed to protect slower drivers as well as faster drivers from colliding with those whose speed deviates from the norm.

Road Trip Ideas

When traveling in Idaho, here are several places you can visit to take in the natural beauty of the state:

#1 – Hell’s Canyon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ozbUYQcdCg

Hell’s Canyon is surrounded by the HCNRA (Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area) that spans both sides of the Snake River in Oregon and Idaho.

Different types of recreation sites are listed below:

• Boat launches
• Pristine campgrounds
• Historic ranches
• Hiking trails

Hell’s Canyon is the deepest canyon in the United States and features a huge gorge intercepted by the Snake River. It is a great land-form surrounded by raw beauty and untouched American nature.

#2 – Route of Hiawatha

The Route of Hiawatha is a wonderful bike and hiking trail that extends for 15 miles. It features 10 train tunnels and The Taft Tunnel, which is the highlight of the trail around the Bitterroot Mountains.

#3 – Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon is a massive area of unique and beautiful land formations that were formed by eight major volcanic eruptions that occurred around 15,000 years ago. Deep cracks and fissures surround the natural area of mountains and valleys.

#4 – Yellowstone Bear World

Yellowstone Bear World is located in the Yellowstone National Park area and Grand Teton National Park region.

Yellowstone Bear World is a drive-through wildlife park that features free-roaming wildlife of North America and species of animals like Rocky Mountain Elk, Bison, American Black and grizzly bears, and Gray Wolves. It is located five miles south of Rexburg, Idaho.

#5 – Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park

The Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park features an opportunity to walk in miles of sand and climb real sand dunes in the area for a unique experience.

#6 – Sawtooth National Recreational Park

The Sawtooth National Recreational Park is a 756,000-acre track of scenic mountain areas with 700 miles of trails and lakes that present Idaho in all its beauty. This park is a perfect place to escape from the ordinary and see something spectacular.

#7 – Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is a beautiful and natural scenic park that features unique land formations such as balanced rocks on top of mountains and cliffs that seem to defy gravity.

#8 – Shoshone Falls

If you love waterfall adventures, try the beautiful Shoshone Falls area. It’s located along the Snake River and features 212-foot picturesque waterfalls as well as a variety of fun family activities and hiking trails.

#9 – Lake Coeur d’Alene

If you love boating and beautiful vistas, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The area features a host of beautiful views and a lush blue lake that seems to go on for miles.

#10 – Nez Perce National Historical Park and National Forest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhfhDjiP_sw

The Nez Perce park was established in 1965 to tell the story of the Nez Perce people. You can discover how these ancient people adapted to their environment and continued to thrive in today’s civilization.

You can also visit the Nez Perce National Forest, a diverse land covering four million acres. The forest spreads from rolling uplands and deep canyons to moist cedar forests. There are also three rivers — the Selway, the Lochsa, and the Salmon — that any thrill seeker would love to take a ride on.

Find the Right Insurance Before You Go

If you are planning a road trip soon to Idaho (or to anywhere else), you should do your homework before you go.

But researching the options you have for rental insurance and finding out whether the rental company has enough coverage, you can avoid problems once you get there.

Tips to Remember When Planning Your Trip

• Consider temporary insurance – Temporary insurance can sometimes fill the gaps for anything that your rental car insurance doesn’t cover. Check with your car rental company and do your homework about their lease agreement before renting.
• Do you need travel insurance? – Travel insurance is insurance that covers hotels and car rentals but it does not cover auto accidents. If you think there’s a chance you might have to cancel your vacation, you may be able to get about half of your vacation expenses back if you have to cancel it early. That’s what travel insurance is for.
• Is your rental car covered? – Make sure you know the policies with your rental company if you plan to rent a car while you are on vacation.

Another type of insurance you may want to consider is RV Insurance, which covers the cost of your liability and damage for any incidents that might occur around your RV or camping equipment while you are camping out.

Comprehensive insurance might also be a great type of insurance to add to your policy since it covers damage beyond the scope of what is covered by your auto insurance.

The types of incidents covered by comprehensive insurance include:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Damage due to falling objects
• Fire, floods, or acts of nature

These are some ideas to think about when planning your trip to Idaho. Keep these things in mind as you plan so that you will have a smooth (and hopefully uneventful road trip!) Remember, insurance is there when the unexpected happens. So plan ahead!

Start comparison shopping for auto insurance today by entering your ZIP code below!