This 274.3-mile drive from Akron, IA, to Indiana, IA, is a straightforward trip across the Midwest, perfect for a single-day journey. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 16 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $43. The route primarily utilizes major interstates, making it a generally efficient way to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are within Iowa, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. This highway-focused drive is designed for covering ground, so plan for a relatively quick transit.
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
137.2 miles from Akron, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
95.2 mi
1h 42m
I 29
79.4 mi
1h 25m
IA 5
36 mi
44m
State Highway 12
16.2 mi
22m
I 880
16 mi
17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
State Highway 3
4.7 mi
6m
I 35
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,582 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,907
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
54 ft·4 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Reed Street
277 ft·13 sec·Reed Street
3
Turn left onto IA 12
0.4 mi·58 sec·State Highway 12
4
Continue on IA 3; IA 12
4.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
5
Continue on IA 12
0.3 mi·23 sec·State Highway 12
6
Continue on IA 12
0.2 mi·17 sec·Portland Street
7
Continue on IA 12
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 12
8
Continue on IA 12
2.8 mi·3 min·Sioux River Road
9
Turn right onto IA 12
2.1 mi·4 min·Riverside Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 29 South
11
Merge onto I 29
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 29
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
13
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
16
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.
17
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi·51 sec·Ramp 72 H
Exit 123BToward I 35 South: Kansas City
18
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi·4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
22
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
23
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
24
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
25
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
26
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
27
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 16-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any necessary stops. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but remember to factor in fuel needs; the estimated cost is $43. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 95.2 miles on I-80, as services can sometimes be spread out on major interstates.
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 137.2 miles from Akron, IA, or about 2h 39m 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 60 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
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 Akron, 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 Akron, IA
This is one driving day of about 274.3 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Akron, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 222.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Reed Street
Turn right onto Reed Street
Navigation decision point
5
24 mi into trip|~33m in|IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Turn right onto IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
122.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
9
218.1 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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...
8
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.51 one way
$81.02 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.72
$89.44
premium
$4.72
$50.93
$101.86
diesel
$4.80
$51.79
$103.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.17
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
EV Truck/SUV
109.7
1
$38.40
$17.56
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Akron, IA
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
1:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
ESE 0 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
1:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
SW 9 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
64°F
Avoca, IA
137 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
1 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 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 92% of the journey taking place on interstates like I-80 and I-29, along with a stretch of IA-5. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 95.2 miles on I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. The profile is clearly highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours. Expect a consistent driving environment as you traverse the landscape.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Reed Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 274.3 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: near the start (Reed Street): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,379 ft868 ft
Total Climb
423 ft
Total Descent
646 ft
Highest Point
1,379 ft
~176.4 mi in
Elevation Range
511 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Akron, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Indiana is a state in the heart of the Midwest region of the United States. Indiana is more than a fly-over state with one large metropolitan area, rural farmland, and cozy college towns.
Top landmarks
•Wyandotte Caves — park and its caverns in southern Indiana
•Eskenazi Museum of Art — museum at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana
•Miller House and Garden — historic home in Columbus, Indiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 274.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Indiana, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Reed Street): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Indiana, IA before the return drive.
