Trip from Le Mars, IA to Indiana, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

272.2 mi

438 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 56m ★

6 AM

5h 9m

8 AM

5h 36m

10 AM

5h 19m

12 PM

5h 16m

3 PM

5h 20m

5 PM

5h 35m

8 PM

5h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Le Mars, IA

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Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Indiana, IA covers 272.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, IA 5, US 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.56 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

136.1 miles from Le Mars, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 272.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and IA 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.2 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 26 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 95.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 272.2 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 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward US 75

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 75

30.1 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward I 29: Sioux 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 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs

120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines

216 mi into trip | ~3h 59m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...

220.5 mi into trip | ~4h 4m 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 Le Mars, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.

Council Bluffs

30.1 mi in | ~38m

Sioux Gateway Airport

30.4 mi in | ~38m

Minneapolis

216 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 80

Kansas City

216 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 80

Des Moines

220.5 mi in | ~4h 4m

Norwalk

220.5 mi in | ~4h 4m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	95.2 mi	1h 42m
IA 5	36 mi	44m
US 75	27.6 mi	33m
I 880	16 mi	17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	12.9 mi	14m
I 35	3.8 mi	4m
County Highway G76	2 mi	3m
State Highway 3	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 1st Street Northeast

239 ft · 15 sec · 1st Street Northeast

Turn left onto Central Avenue

441 ft · 19 sec · Central Avenue

Turn right onto IA 3

0.4 mi · 1 min · Plymouth Street Northwest

Continue on IA 3

0.5 mi · 1 min · Plymouth Street Southwest

Continue on IA 3

366 ft · 6 sec · Plymouth Street West

Continue on IA 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward US 75 Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 75

28 mi · 33 min · US 75

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

73 mi · 1 hr 19 min

Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 71 Toward I 880 East: Des Moines

Continue on I 880

16 mi · 17 min · I 880

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 43 sec

Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.3 mi · 18 sec · I 80

Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Ramp 72 H

Exit 123B Toward I 35 South: Kansas City

Merge onto I 35

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 68 Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk Use the slight right lane.

Continue on IA 5

13 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto IA 5

19 mi · 22 min · IA 5

Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 min · IA 5; IA 92

Take the exit onto IA 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5

Turn right onto IA 5

5.8 mi · 8 min · IA 5

Turn sharp right onto CR G76

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Highway G76

Continue on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76

Arrive at destination

CR G76

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 136.1 miles from Le Mars, IA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136.1 miles or 2h 33m 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 8m

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 Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, IA

This is one driving day of about 272.2 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Le Mars, 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 95.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 136.1 mi from Le Mars, IA · 2h 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Denison, IA

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

Omaha, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Denison, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.2 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

$42.56 one way

$85.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$46.72	$93.45
premium	$4.89	$52.38	$104.76
diesel	$5.61	$60.10	$120.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 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	81.7	1	$28.58	$13.07
Efficient EV	68.1	0	$23.82	$10.89
EV Truck/SUV	108.9	1	$38.11	$17.42

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Le Mars, IA

Late night in Le Mars on Wednesday

Local time

5:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Late night in Indiana on Wednesday

Local time

5:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Denison, 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

4 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 9m 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 Le Mars, IA to Indiana, IA covers 272.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, IA 5, US 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 136.1 miles from Le Mars, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.56 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.

Between Le Mars, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.

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Trip from Le Mars, IA to Indiana, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Indiana, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Le Mars, IA

Indiana, IA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 9m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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