Origin
Emmetsburg, IA
Morning in Emmetsburg on Saturday
Local time
11:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Emmetsburg, IA to Indiana, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
210.5 mi
339 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Emmetsburg, IA
Christiyana Krüger
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 210.5-mile drive from Emmetsburg, IA to Indiana, IA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, with about 71% of the journey on highways like US 20, I 35, and IA 5. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 210.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 210.5-mile journey. With 71% of the route on highways, you'll experience a good amount of faster-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55.7 miles on US 20, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While the route is primarily highway-centric, the transition between US 20, I 35, and IA 5 means you'll encounter different road surfaces and speeds, keeping the experience from being entirely monotonous.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lawler Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 210.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lawler Street
Turn right onto Lawler Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 18; IA 4 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 18; IA 4 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
46.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
157.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
8
161 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Emmetsburg, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.
Council Bluffs
157.5 mi in
|
~3h 12m
|
via I 35
Davenport
157.5 mi in
|
~3h 12m
|
via I 35
Des Moines
161 mi in
|
~3h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 55.7 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 35 | 54.7 mi | 59m |
| IA 5 | 35.4 mi | 42m |
| 220th Avenue | 22.6 mi | 30m |
| 460th Avenue | 13 mi | 17m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| Marengo Avenue | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| I 80 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 55.7 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emmetsburg, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on 8th Street
87 ft
·
8 sec
·
8th Street
2
Turn right onto Lawler Street
332 ft
·
14 sec
·
Lawler Street
3
Turn left onto US 18; IA 4
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto IA 4
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street
5
Continue on IA 4
13 mi
·
17 min
·
460th Avenue
6
Continue on IA 4
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Avenue
7
Continue on IA 4
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 7th Street
8
Continue on IA 4
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Avenue
9
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Marengo Avenue
10
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North East Street
11
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Marengo Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 4
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Marshall Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 20 East
14
Merge onto US 20
56 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
US 20
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
16
Merge onto I 35
54 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
19
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
23
Continue on IA 5
19 mi
·
21 min
·
IA 5
24
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
25
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
26
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
27
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
28
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
29
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 18-minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single day excursion. Leaving Emmetsburg in the morning will allow you to arrive in Indiana with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop along the way; with the longest stretch being 55.7 miles, you'll have opportunities to refuel or stretch your legs before reaching your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on US 20, to ensure you're prepared for the $33 estimated fuel cost.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 46 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.2 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
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 Emmetsburg, 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 Emmetsburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 210.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Emmetsburg, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 55.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.2 mi from Emmetsburg, IA · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, 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
$32.91 one way
$65.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.13 | $72.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.51 | $81.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.48 | $92.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.10 | $10.10 |
| Efficient EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Saturday
Local time
11:48 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
24 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
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Emmetsburg, IA to Indiana, IA covers 210.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, IA 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 210.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Between Emmetsburg, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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