Idaho back to Cali places to see.

Driving to Spokane Washington in September for my brothers wedding. We are going to stay a few nights in corde a alene idaho after. Was looking for recommendations for the trip back. We are staying a night in Bend at the McMenamins Old St Francis on the way up.

 

Not sure how much time you have, but I'm doing a very similar trip in a few weeks from now, but headed to Montana via Bend and Core d'alene. Our plan is to drop back down through Idaho into Utah, and then primarily take 50 back. I'm going to hit a little bit of the old pony express route, but I'm targeting 3 of my favorite hot springs as we zigzag a bit back through Nevada.

If you're interested in the route, PM me.

 

Your standard route would have you coming down Hwy 95, where you can continue to the Oregan border or take Hwy 55 thru McCall onto Boise. There is some cool stuff to see in McCall, but after being in Corde a Alene you probably don't need another rich person lake town.
I would recommend going into Montana to Missoula, then head down Hwy 93 to Chalis where you'd catch Hwy 75 into Stanley.
Stanley is a gem of a mountain town that I've been going to for the past 35 years. It's changed a lot and is getting ritzier by the day, but it still feels small. No Ski resort makes it really only a summer resort town. Great fishing and rafting. Hot spring along the river, and decent places to eat and drink. The Sawtooths give the Tetons a run for their money, and redfish lake is what Donnar was 80 years ago.
From there you're 3 hours from Boise, or you could head southeast and hit up Ketchum/Sun Valley for some more rich person mountain life. These are all two-lane mountain highways for the most part.
Edit: Just realized you said September- will be a little colder at night, and maybe light jacket weather by day. Possible snow flurries in September. Stanley is one of the coldest places in the US in winter.

 

Pm on the way... thanks

 

Some good info here. Will definitely consider.

 

Could always go through Spokane and get on 195 and go south into eastern Oregon and cut through the state, much more scenic the whole way. 195 is a pleasant drive through the palouse fields.