Origin
Indiana, IA
Afternoon in Indiana on Friday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Indiana, IA to Le Mars, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
271.7 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Le Mars, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Indiana, IA to Le Mars, IA covers 271.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 29, US 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.48 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
135.8 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 271.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 271.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.8 miles on I 80.
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 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 94.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 271.7 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 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.4 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese 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
38.4 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
Ramp 72 J
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
9
151.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
I 880
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
6
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
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 Indiana, IA to Le Mars, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Sioux City along the way.
Sioux City
151.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
|
via I 880
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 94.8 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 29 | 72.2 mi | 1h 17m |
| US 20 | 27.5 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 5 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| IA 5 | 17 mi | 21m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Le Mars, 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
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 5
7
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
John MacVicar Freeway
12
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 880
Exit 27
Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
15
Merge onto I 29
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 29
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars
17
Merge onto US 20; US 75
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 20; US 75
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward IA 3: Plymouth Street, Business District
19
Turn right onto IA 3
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
20
Continue on IA 3
366 ft
·
6 sec
·
Plymouth Street West
21
Continue on IA 3
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Plymouth Street Southwest
22
Turn left onto US 75 Business
440 ft
·
12 sec
·
5th Avenue Northwest
23
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street Northwest
24
Arrive at destination
1st Street Northeast
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 135.8 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 60 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.8 miles or 2h 35m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Le Mars, 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 271.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 80 for about 94.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.8 mi from Indiana, IA · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Indiana, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 miles.
Arriving in Le Mars, IA
The final approach into Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, 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
$42.48 one way
$84.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.64 | $93.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.29 | $104.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.99 | $119.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.53 | $13.04 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.7 | 1 | $38.04 | $17.39 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Le Mars, IA
Afternoon in Le Mars on Friday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Avoca, IA
136 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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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 Indiana, IA to Le Mars, IA covers 271.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 29, US 20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.8 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 $42.48 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 18 significant decision points across 271.7 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: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.4 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Indiana, IA to Le Mars, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Sioux City along the way.
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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