This 202.3-mile journey from Mapleton, IA to Indiana, IA offers a straightforward drive through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 8 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable day trip. With 73% of the route on highways, you'll cover a good amount of ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, and with only one recommended stop, you can keep moving with minimal interruptions. This route is ideal for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated travel experience within Iowa.
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
101.1 miles from Mapleton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 202.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 73% of the mileage on major roads like I 80 and IA 5. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including an 82.4-mile segment on I 80. While the bulk of the trip is on faster routes, you will also navigate some sections of State Highway 37, offering a slight change of pace. Overall, the road character is geared towards efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 82.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near County Highway L32.
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 202.3 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: at 1.1 miles (County Highway L32): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.4 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|County Highway L32
Turn right onto County Highway L32
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
146.1 mi into trip|~2h 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...
5
146.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|Ramp 72 H
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H toward I 35 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
5
146.8 mi into trip|~3h in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
150.6 mi into trip|~3h 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 Mapleton, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Minneapolis
146.1 mi in|~2h 59m|via I 80
Kansas City
146.1 mi in|~2h 59m|via I 80
Des Moines
150.6 mi in|~3h 4m
Norwalk
150.6 mi in|~3h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
82.4 mi
1h 28m
IA 5
36 mi
44m
State Highway 37
25.8 mi
35m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
County Highway L32
11.2 mi
15m
23rd Street
10.5 mi
14m
M16 Road
8.8 mi
12m
1000th Street
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 82.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mapleton, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
46 ft·9 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto IA 141
0.6 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
3
Continue on IA 141
0.5 mi·41 sec·George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
4
Turn right onto County Highway L32
11 mi·15 min·County Highway L32
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto IA 37
14 mi·19 min·State Highway 37
6
Continue on IA 37
0.6 mi·1 min·IA 37
7
Turn right onto US 30
0.2 mi·43 sec·North 6th Street
8
Turn left onto IA 37
0.9 mi·2 min·Iowa Avenue
9
Continue on IA 37
0.1 mi·10 sec·IA 37
10
Continue on IA 37
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 37
11
Continue on IA 37
450 ft·11 sec·Railway Street
12
Turn right onto CR M16
8.8 mi·12 min·M16 Road
13
Turn left onto IA 44
4.0 mi·5 min·1000th Street
14
Continue on IA 44
0.3 mi·24 sec·Chatburn Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 59
11 mi·14 min·23rd Street
16
Continue on US 59
0.1 mi·19 sec·Avoca Lane
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
18
Merge onto I 80
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 80
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi·51 sec·Ramp 72 H
Exit 123BToward I 35 South: Kansas City
21
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi·4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
25
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
26
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
27
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
28
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
29
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
30
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration and 202.3-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart Mapleton in the morning and arrive in Indiana by lunchtime. With only one recommended stop, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps midway through your longest stretch on I 80. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a helpful budget marker. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto IA 5 and State Highway 37, as these will be your primary transitions off I 80.
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 101.1 miles from Mapleton, IA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.4 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 45 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.1 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
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 Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA
This is one driving day of about 202.3 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Mapleton, 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 82.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.1 mi from Mapleton, IA
· 2h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.63 one way
$63.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.73
$69.45
premium
$4.89
$38.93
$77.86
diesel
$5.61
$44.67
$89.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.70
$8.09
EV Truck/SUV
80.9
1
$28.32
$12.95
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Mapleton, IA
Evening
in Mapleton on Friday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Indiana, IA
Evening
in Indiana on Friday
Local time
8:20 PM
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
21 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
4h 8m 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 Mapleton, IA to Indiana, IA covers 202.3 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, IA 5, State Highway 37. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.1 miles from Mapleton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.63 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.3 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: at 1.1 miles (County Highway L32): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.4 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Mapleton, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
