Origin
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Indiana, IA
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
118.8 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Iowa City to Indiana, Iowa, you are looking at a manageable 118.8-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. This Midwest route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. Because the path relies heavily on major infrastructure, you can count on a consistent pace throughout the drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the direct nature of this trip makes it a straightforward choice for any driver.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of your travel time will be spent on paved, high-speed thoroughfares. You will begin with a significant 79.2-mile stretch on I-80, which serves as the backbone of your journey before you transition onto State Highway 14 and IA-5. While the interstate portion allows for steady cruising, the character of the road shifts once you peel off onto the state highways. This combination of segments ensures you spend the bulk of your time at highway speeds, keeping the drive efficient. You will find that the rhythm of the trip is defined by these long, uninterrupted miles, providing a predictable and steady behind-the-wheel experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 79.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Dubuque Street
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Indiana, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
81.7 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 79.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| State Highway 14 | 23.5 mi | 34m |
| IA 5 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| North Lincoln Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Monroe Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 79.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kimball Road
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dubuque Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
7
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 14
8
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Street
9
Continue on IA 14
13 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 14
10
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lincoln Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
12
Merge onto IA 5; IA 92
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
13
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
14
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
15
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
16
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
17
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any localized commuter traffic. Given the 2-hour and 28-minute duration, you likely won't need an official stop, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Iowa City ensures a stress-free trip. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, plan for a quick break right as you transition from I-80 to the state highway system. Pay close attention to your speed as you move from the interstate to State Highway 14 and IA-5, as speed limits will adjust accordingly. Taking advantage of the shorter travel time allows you to maximize your day at your destination without feeling rushed on the road.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 8m 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 55m
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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA
This is one driving day of about 118.8 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 79.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.4 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h 8m into the drive
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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Iowa City, 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 79.2 miles.
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
$18.04 one way
$36.09 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.89 | $39.78 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.43 | $44.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.39 | $52.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
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, 2026-04-06.
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 Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
1 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
2h 28m 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 Iowa City, IA to Indiana, IA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, State Highway 14, 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 59.4 miles from Iowa City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.04 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Indiana, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
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