Origin
Stuart, IA
Late night in Stuart on Friday
Local time
2:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stuart, IA to Indiana, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
86.4 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stuart, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 86.4-mile journey from Stuart, IA to Indiana, IA is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on IA 5 and I 80, with a segment of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $14, making it an economical option. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region of Iowa, you can expect familiar scenery throughout. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Stuart, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 86.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect an 80% highway drive on this route, characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained roads. Your longest continuous stretch without a major change will be approximately 36 miles on IA 5. The profile is predominantly highway-focused, meaning you'll experience a steady pace with fewer interruptions. While not explicitly scenic, the drive offers a consistent experience, allowing you to maintain speed and cover ground effectively. This type of route is ideal if your priority is reaching your destination quickly and with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 36 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 5 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.2 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 30.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 30.9 miles (I 35): 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.
9
30.2 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
30.5 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
30.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~38m 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,...
5
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stuart, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Minneapolis
30.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
30.2 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 80
Des Moines
34.7 mi in
|
~38m
Norwalk
34.7 mi in
|
~38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 5 | 36 mi | 44m |
| I 80 | 29.4 mi | 31m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| South Division Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ramp 72 H | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
IA 5
— 36 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on CR P28
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Division Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
3
Merge onto I 80; US 6
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 80; US 6
4
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.
5
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ramp 72 H
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
6
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Continue on IA 5
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
10
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
11
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
12
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
13
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
14
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
15
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1-hour and 43-minute drive, flexibility is your greatest advantage. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour on I 80. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 36-mile stretch on IA 5, and ensure you're topped off before heading out. The total fuel cost is estimated at $14, so budgeting for gas is simple and inexpensive.
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 43.2 miles from Stuart, IA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36 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 19 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 49m 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 24m
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 Stuart, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stuart, IA
This is one driving day of about 86.4 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Stuart, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IA 5 for about 36 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.2 mi from Stuart, IA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.2 miles from Stuart, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.51 one way
$27.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.83 | $29.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.63 | $33.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.08 | $38.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Late night in Indiana on Friday
Local time
2:12 AM
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
2 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
1h 43m 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 Stuart, IA to Indiana, IA covers 86.4 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IA 5, I 80, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.2 miles from Stuart, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 30.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 30.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Stuart, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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