Trip from Remsen, IA to Indiana, IA

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

254.6 mi

410 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 254.6 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this drive from Remsen to Indiana, Iowa, typically takes about 5 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Because the duration is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $39 for fuel to cover the distance, which is a reasonable expense for a trip of this length. Navigating the route involves a blend of local roads and major arteries like I-35 and IA-5. Overall, it serves as a straightforward transit through Iowa, offering a predictable experience for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.

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

127.3 miles from Remsen, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from local roads to more streamlined highway travel. With 53% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter a shift in pace throughout the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 93.4 miles along 220th Street, which requires steady focus. As you transition onto the interstate and state routes, the character of the road changes, moving from quieter local stretches to more heavily trafficked thoroughfares. This combination keeps the drive from feeling monotonous while ensuring you make consistent progress toward your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 93.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near IA 140 / State Highway 140.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 254.6 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 1.2 miles (IA 140 / State Highway 140): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.7 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 147.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

1.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | IA 140 / State Highway 140

Turn right onto IA 140 / State Highway 140

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

25.7 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 20 / Highway 20

Turn left onto US 20 / Highway 20

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

147.1 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

201.6 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...

205.1 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines

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 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines

Towns Along This Route

Between Remsen, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.

Council Bluffs

201.6 mi in | ~3h 58m | via I 35

Davenport

201.6 mi in | ~3h 58m | via I 35

Des Moines

205.1 mi in | ~4h 3m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
220th Street	93.4 mi	1h 47m
I 35	54.7 mi	59m
IA 5	35.4 mi	42m
Highway 20	19 mi	22m
State Highway 140	15.1 mi	20m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	10.7 mi	12m
United States Highway 20	8.3 mi	10m
Lee Avenue	5.4 mi	7m

Longest stretch: 220th Street — 93.4 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Washington Street

At end of road, turn left onto IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

Turn right onto IA 140

15 mi · 20 min · State Highway 140

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street

Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue

Continue on L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue

Turn left onto US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 20

8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 20

93 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

Merge onto I 35

54 mi · 59 min · I 35

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

0.2 mi · 12 sec · I 35

Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min

Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport

Merge onto I 80

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 21 min · IA 5

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

Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to plan for a single, well-timed stop to break up the five-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning allows you to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the more populated highway segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that initial 93.4-mile stretch on 220th Street, as services may be more limited compared to the interstate sections. Having the flexibility to adjust your departure time is a major advantage for this route, so don't feel pressured to rush. By pacing your drive with one intentional break, you will arrive in Indiana feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.

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 127.3 miles from Remsen, IA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.4 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 127.3 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 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 Remsen, 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 Remsen, IA

This is one driving day of about 254.6 miles and 5h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Remsen, 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 220th Street for about 93.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 127.3 mi from Remsen, IA · 2h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

127 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.3 miles from Remsen, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.4 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

$38.67 one way

$77.34 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$42.63	$85.26
premium	$4.80	$48.06	$96.13
diesel	$5.64	$56.56	$113.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	76.4	0	$26.73	$12.22
Efficient EV	63.7	0	$22.28	$10.18
EV Truck/SUV	101.8	1	$35.64	$16.29

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 days ago

Origin

Remsen, IA

Afternoon in Remsen on Sunday

Local time

1:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Afternoon in Indiana on Sunday

Local time

1:42 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

4 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

5h 4m 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 Remsen, IA to Indiana, IA covers 254.6 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 220th Street, I 35, IA 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 127.3 miles from Remsen, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.67 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.