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Trip from Indiana, IA to Britt, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

166.7 mi

268 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m

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

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Downtown Britt, IA, IA

Britt, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

The drive from Indiana, IA to Britt, IA covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, US 69, Little Wall Lake Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.06 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

83.3 miles from Indiana, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 26m highway drive covering 166.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 69. The longest continuous stretch is about 55 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 55 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 69. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 166.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
2 mi into trip | ~3m in | IA 5

Turn sharp left onto IA 5

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
48.2 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
51.6 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
5
156.8 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | US 18; US 69

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 55 mi 59m
US 69 25.9 mi 35m
Little Wall Lake Road 19.5 mi 26m
State Highway 5 18.2 mi 20m
IA 5 17 mi 21m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 10.3 mi 11m
US 18 9.5 mi 13m
US 20 3.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 55 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
2

Continue on CR G76

0.2 mi · 26 sec · County Highway G76
3

Turn sharp left onto IA 5

6.1 mi · 9 min · IA 5
4

Take the ramp onto IA 5

11 mi · 12 min · IA 5
5

Turn right

0.1 mi · 7 sec
6

Continue on IA 5

18 mi · 20 min · State Highway 5
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
8

Merge onto US 65

10 mi · 11 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
9

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
10

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · this road
Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
13

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road
Exit 137B Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
14

Merge onto I 35

55 mi · 59 min · I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
16

Merge onto US 20

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 20
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 69
18

Turn right onto US 69

19 mi · 26 min · Little Wall Lake Road
19

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · 220th Street
20

Turn straight onto US 69; IA 3

12 mi · 17 min · US 69; IA 3
21

Continue on US 69

14 mi · 18 min · US 69
22

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

9.5 mi · 13 min · US 18; US 69
23

Turn left onto Main Avenue North

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Main Avenue North
24

Arrive at destination

Main Avenue North

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 83.3 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 37 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.3 miles or 1h 38m 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Britt, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Indiana, 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 Indiana, IA

This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Indiana, 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 35 for about 55 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 83.3 mi from Indiana, IA · 1h 38m into the drive

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ankeny, IA

83 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.

Popular next leg

Ankeny, IA to Britt, IA

111.7 mi · 2h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Des Moines, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Indiana, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Britt, IA

The final approach into Britt, 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 Britt, 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

$26.06 one way

$52.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.61 $57.23
premium $4.89 $32.08 $64.16
diesel $5.61 $36.81 $73.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50 0 $17.50 $8.00
Efficient EV 41.7 0 $14.59 $6.67
EV Truck/SUV 66.7 0 $23.34 $10.67

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Indiana, IA

Late night in Indiana on Saturday

Local time

5:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Britt, IA

Late night in Britt on Saturday

Local time

5:42 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 26m 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 Indiana, IA to Britt, IA covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, US 69, Little Wall Lake Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 83.3 miles from Indiana, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.06 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Indiana, IA to Britt, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Britt, IA to Indiana, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

167.5 mi 3h 28m

Explore more options from Indiana, IA or browse trips ending in Britt, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.