Embark on a straightforward 130.4-mile journey from Glidden, IA, to Indiana, IA, which will take approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, especially considering its modest fuel cost estimated at $20. You'll primarily navigate on IA 5, 220th Street, and Northwest Granger Drive. The Midwest scenery unfolds as you travel within Iowa, offering a consistent regional experience. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient travel, making it an accessible option for a quick excursion.
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
65.2 miles from Glidden, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 130.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed drive experience, with about 34% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 36 miles along IA 5. Expect a blend of faster-paced highway segments and more local road driving as you progress. The road's character shifts between open highway and the more intimate feel of county roads. This variability means you'll experience different driving dynamics throughout the 130.4 miles.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 36 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 2nd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 130.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East 2nd Street
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
6
48.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
7
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Coun...
6
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
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 68
Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport,...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glidden, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Council Bluffs
70.2 mi in|~1h 36m
Des Moines
78.7 mi in|~1h 47m
Norwalk
78.7 mi in|~1h 47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
IA 5
36 mi
44m
220th Street
20.5 mi
28m
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi
18m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
144 Diagonal
6.9 mi
9m
County Road N33
5.3 mi
7m
I 35
4.6 mi
5m
335th Street
4.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
IA 5
— 36 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glidden, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on North Idaho Street
60 ft·8 sec·North Idaho Street
2
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto N44
0.5 mi·55 sec·Colorado Street
4
Turn right onto US 30
5.3 mi·7 min·County Road N33
5
Continue on US 30
21 mi·28 min·220th Street
6
Turn right onto IA 144
0.2 mi·24 sec·9th N Street
7
Continue on IA 144
496 ft·18 sec·South 9th Street
8
Turn right onto IA 144
0.3 mi·53 sec·West Main Street
9
Continue on IA 144
3.3 mi·4 min·U Avenue
10
Turn slight left onto IA 144
6.9 mi·9 min·144 Diagonal
11
Continue on IA 144
1.1 mi·1 min·Apple Road
12
Continue on IA 144
2.5 mi·3 min·325th Street
13
Continue on IA 144
0.9 mi·1 min·D Avenue
14
Turn left onto 335th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·335th Street
15
Continue on East Avenue
470 ft·14 sec·East Avenue
16
Turn right onto 335th Street
3.1 mi·4 min·335th Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 169
0.5 mi·41 sec·H Avenue
18
Continue on US 169
1.9 mi·2 min·N Avenue
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
20
Continue on IA 141
16 mi·18 min·Northwest Granger Drive
21
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi·3 min·Northwest 114th Street
22
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast Grimes Boulevard
23
Continue on IA 141
0.6 mi·49 sec·Grimes Boulevard
24
Continue on IA 141
1.8 mi·2 min·Southeast Grimes Boulevard
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 80; I 35
3.3 mi·3 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
4.6 mi·5 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
31
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
32
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
33
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
34
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
35
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
36
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 51-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time for your single planned stop without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost of $20 suggests keeping an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out on the longest stretch of IA 5. Since this is a comfortable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best. A practical tip for this route is to confirm your GPS is updated for the county road segments, as these can sometimes be less consistently signed than major highways.
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 65.2 miles from Glidden, IA, or about 1h 29m 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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
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 Glidden, 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 Glidden, IA
This is one driving day of about 130.4 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Glidden, 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 IA 5 for about 36 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.2 mi from Glidden, IA
· 1h 29m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.39 one way
$40.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.38
$44.77
premium
$4.89
$25.09
$50.19
diesel
$5.61
$28.79
$57.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
Efficient EV
32.6
0
$11.41
$5.22
EV Truck/SUV
52.2
0
$18.26
$8.35
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Glidden, IA
Afternoon
in Glidden on Friday
Local time
1:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Indiana, IA
Afternoon
in Indiana on Friday
Local time
1:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
SSW 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
31 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 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Glidden, IA to Indiana, IA covers 130.4 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IA 5, 220th Street, Northwest Granger Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.2 miles from Glidden, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.39 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 130.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Glidden, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Norwalk.
