Trip from Alton, IA to Indiana, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

268.7 mi

432 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 11m ★

6 AM

5h 24m

8 AM

5h 51m

10 AM

5h 34m

12 PM

5h 31m

3 PM

5h 35m

5 PM

5h 50m

8 PM

5h 16m

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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human settlement in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Alton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 268.7-mile drive from Alton, IA, to Indiana, IA, is a solid day trip, taking about 5 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on 220th Street and IA 5, with a significant portion on I-35, making for a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $42, which is quite reasonable for a full day's travel. Given its manageable length and the Midwest scenery, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a straightforward trip within the same region, making for a predictable and efficient journey.

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

134.4 miles from Alton, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

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
County Road L14	7 mi	9m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

112 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn left onto West 10th Street

156 ft · 8 sec · West 10th Street

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 43 sec · 3rd Avenue

Turn left onto Division Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Division Street

At end of road, turn right onto IA 10

0.3 mi · 21 sec · State Highway 10

Continue on IA 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street

Turn right onto L14

5.0 mi · 6 min · Kiwi Avenue

Continue on L14

7.0 mi · 9 min · County Road L14

Continue on IA 140

15 mi · 20 min · State Highway 140

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

Continue on US 20

93 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street

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 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 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

To make the most of this 5-hour, 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; perhaps plan a break around the halfway point or when you transition to I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 93.4-mile stretch on 220th Street, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The $42 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. This single-day trip allows for spontaneity, so feel free to adjust your timing as needed.

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 134.4 miles from Alton, IA, or about 2h 46m 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 59 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.4 miles or 2h 46m 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 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 Alton, 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 Alton, IA

This is one driving day of about 268.7 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Alton, 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.

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

134 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

Cherokee, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from Alton, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

1.6 mi

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.7 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.7 mi

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Smokey Row Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 249.5

Pleasantville, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15158485959

Visit website

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159647141

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.7

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 191.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 219.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in | IA 10 / State Highway 10

At end of road, turn right onto IA 10 / State Highway 10

Navigation decision point

39.8 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 20 / Highway 20

Turn left onto US 20 / Highway 20

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

161.2 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

215.7 mi into trip | ~4h 17m 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...

219.3 mi into trip | ~4h 22m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.01 one way

$84.02 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$46.12	$92.25
premium	$4.89	$51.71	$103.42
diesel	$5.61	$59.33	$118.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	80.6	0	$28.21	$12.90
Efficient EV	67.2	0	$23.51	$10.75
EV Truck/SUV	107.5	1	$37.62	$17.20

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Alton, IA

Night in Alton on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Night in Indiana on Saturday

Local time

9:48 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

24 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 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a varied drive, with 50% of the journey on highways. The route includes a substantial 93.4-mile stretch on 220th Street, offering a different pace than the interstate sections. You'll experience a mix of faster highway travel and potentially more local road driving as you transition between main thoroughfares. This blended profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind but will also have opportunities for quicker progress. The drive's character shifts as you move between the different road types, keeping you engaged behind the wheel.

50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 93.4 mi on 220th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near IA 10 / State Highway 10.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 268.7 miles you will encounter 19 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 1.3 miles (IA 10 / State Highway 10): Navigation decision point; at 39.8 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Council Bluffs

215.7 mi in | ~4h 17m | via I 35

Davenport

215.7 mi in | ~4h 17m | via I 35

Des Moines

219.3 mi in | ~4h 22m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 268.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 93.4 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Alton, IA to Indiana, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Ankeny Cafe

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Ankeny Cafe

Cafe Diem

The Mucky Duck Pub

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

Smokey Row Coffee

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

It's My Jam Cafe

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Cafe Diem

Vinyl Cafe

Juniper & Olive Co.

Labyrinth Coffee

Bookends Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alton, IA

Indiana, IA

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 24m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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