Trip from Estherville, IA to Indiana, IA

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

235.1 mi

378 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 41m ★

6 AM

4h 54m

8 AM

5h 21m

10 AM

5h 4m

12 PM

5h 1m

3 PM

5h 5m

5 PM

5h 20m

8 PM

4h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Estherville, IA to Indiana, IA covers 235.1 miles and takes about 4h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, I 35, IA 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.7 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.76 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

117.5 miles from Estherville, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 4h 54m highway drive covering 235.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.7 miles on US 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 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 around 70.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 235.1 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: at 70.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 127.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the ramp toward US 20 East

Navigation decision point

Toward US 20 East

127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

182.1 mi into trip | ~3h 47m 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...

182.2 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Davenport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport

185.6 mi into trip | ~3h 53m 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 Estherville, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.

Council Bluffs

182.1 mi in | ~3h 47m | via I 35

Davenport

182.1 mi in | ~3h 47m | via I 35

Des Moines

185.6 mi in | ~3h 53m

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
State Highway 4	10.6 mi	15m
420th Avenue	8.9 mi	12m

Longest stretch: US 20 — 55.7 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Estherville, IA and Indiana, IA.

Start on IA 4

0.5 mi · 1 min · South 9th Street

Continue on IA 4

5.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 4

Continue on IA 4

4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 4

Continue on IA 4

8.9 mi · 12 min · 420th Avenue

Turn left onto US 18; IA 4

2.9 mi · 3 min · 360th Street

Continue on US 18; IA 4

1.0 mi · 1 min · 450th Avenue

Continue on US 18; IA 4

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Turn right onto IA 4

1.0 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street

Continue on IA 4

13 mi · 17 min · 460th Avenue

Continue on IA 4

11 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue

Continue on IA 4

1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 7th Street

Continue on IA 4

11 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · North East Street

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

4.3 mi · 5 min · Marengo Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto IA 4

2.3 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Toward US 20 East

Merge onto US 20

56 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

Merge onto I 35

54 mi · 59 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min

Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport

Merge onto I 80

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 21 min · IA 5

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 min · IA 5; IA 92

Take the exit onto IA 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5

Turn right onto IA 5

5.8 mi · 8 min · IA 5

Turn sharp right onto CR G76

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Highway G76

Continue on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76

Arrive at destination

CR G76

Trip Plan

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 117.5 miles from Estherville, IA, or about 2h 36m 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 80 miles or 1h 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 117.5 miles or 2h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 1m

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 Estherville, 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 Estherville, IA

This is one driving day of about 235.1 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Estherville, 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 117.5 mi from Estherville, IA · 2h 36m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

118 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Estherville, 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

$36.76 one way

$73.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$40.36	$80.71
premium	$4.89	$45.24	$90.49
diesel	$5.61	$51.91	$103.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70.5	0	$24.69	$11.28
Efficient EV	58.8	0	$20.57	$9.40
EV Truck/SUV	94	1	$32.91	$15.05

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Estherville, IA

Afternoon in Estherville on Wednesday

Local time

12:34 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Afternoon in Indiana on Wednesday

Local time

12:34 PM

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 54m 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 Estherville, IA to Indiana, IA covers 235.1 miles and takes about 4h 54m 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 117.5 miles from Estherville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.76 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.

Between Estherville, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.

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