Origin
Fairfax, IA
Afternoon in Fairfax on Saturday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfax, 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
2h 32m
Distance
118.8 mi
191 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfax, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 118.8-mile journey from Fairfax, Iowa, to Indiana, Iowa, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes. With 77% of the route on highways, it's a practical trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $19, making it an economical option. You'll primarily navigate via I-80, State Highway 14, and W Avenue. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Fairfax, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 59.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| State Highway 14 | 23.5 mi | 34m |
| W Avenue | 9 mi | 13m |
| IA 5 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| U Avenue | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Amana Road Southwest | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| 79th Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North Lincoln Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on Vanderbilt Street
443 ft
·
21 sec
·
Vanderbilt Street
2
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn left onto US 151
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Williams Boulevard
4
Continue on US 151
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Amana Road Southwest
5
Continue on US 151
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Co Trunk Rd E68
6
Continue on US 151
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
1st Avenue
7
Continue on US 151
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
79th Street
8
Continue on US 151
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
W Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 151
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
U Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 80
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
13
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 14
14
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Street
15
Continue on IA 14
13 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 14
16
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lincoln Street
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
18
Merge onto IA 5; IA 92
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
19
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
20
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
21
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
22
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
23
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 32-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and fewer potential traffic delays. With only one designated stop implied by the data, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, though it's always wise to plan for brief breaks every couple of hours. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is a good budget to keep in mind. A specific tip for this route: be aware that I-80 is the longest stretch at 59.9 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment to avoid unnecessary stops.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Fairfax, IA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, IA
This is one driving day of about 118.8 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fairfax, 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 I 80 for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Fairfax, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 116.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 151 / Williams Boulevard
Turn left onto US 151 / Williams Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
15.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 151 / U Avenue
Turn left onto US 151 / U Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
5
116.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.57 one way
$37.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.39 | $40.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.86 | $45.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.23 | $52.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.63 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Indiana on Saturday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
59 mi in
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
22 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
2h 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 77% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.9 miles on I-80, offering a chance to maintain a consistent speed. While the primary roads are highways, the inclusion of State Highway 14 and W Avenue suggests a transition to more local routes as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and potentially more varied scenery on the secondary roads.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Church Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 32m drive. You will face about 12 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 (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 151 / U Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfax, IA to Indiana, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 118.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 151 / U Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indiana, IA before heading back.
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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