Origin
Des Moines, IA
Morning in Des Moines on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Indiana, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
48.2 mi
77 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This straightforward 48.2-mile drive from Des Moines, IA to Indiana, IA is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on IA 5 and Southeast 14th Street, with a section of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $8, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion within the Midwest. There are no designated overnight stops needed, and you can complete the journey without any planned breaks, though you're welcome to stop as you please. This trip offers a convenient way to travel between two points in Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.1 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with about 75% of the journey utilizing higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36 miles on IA 5, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. While predominantly highway, you'll transition through different road names like Southeast 14th Street and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, indicating some variation in the immediate surroundings. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 36 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 5 and Southeast 14th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 5m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Indianola Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Indianola Avenue
Turn left onto Indianola Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
10.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IA 5
Take the exit onto IA 5 toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
5
46.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 5 | 36 mi | 44m |
| Southeast 14th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southeast 6th Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Southridge Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East 6th Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Indianola Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
IA 5
— 36 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
4
Continue on East 6th Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
5
Continue on Southeast 6th Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 6th Street
6
Turn left onto Indianola Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Indianola Avenue
7
Turn slight right onto US 69
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
8
Continue on US 69
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Southridge Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
10
Merge onto IA 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
11
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
12
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
13
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
14
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
15
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
16
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
17
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 5 minute duration and 48.2-mile distance, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after morning rush hour to avoid any potential congestion leaving Des Moines. With a low fuel cost of around $8, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch on IA 5 is 36 miles, so if you do need a quick break, plan for it before or after this segment. Since there are no mandatory stops, you can easily adjust your travel time based on your schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 24.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 48.2 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.1 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indiana, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Moines, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 48.2 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Moines, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on IA 5 for about 36 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.1 mi from Des Moines, IA · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.1 miles from Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Indiana, IA
The final approach into Indiana, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Indiana, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.54 one way
$15.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.27 | $16.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.28 | $18.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.64 | $21.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.06 | $2.31 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.22 | $1.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.08 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Indiana, IA
Morning in Indiana on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
27 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Indiana, IA covers 48.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IA 5, Southeast 14th Street, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.1 miles from Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 5m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Indianola Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Des Moines, IA to Indiana, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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