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Trip from Emmetsburg, 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

4h 18m

Distance

210.5 mi

339 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 6m ★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m

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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Downtown Emmetsburg, IA, IA

Emmetsburg, IA

Christiyana Krüger

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 210.5-mile drive from Emmetsburg, IA to Indiana, IA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, with about 71% of the journey on highways like US 20, I 35, and IA 5. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without a significant time commitment.

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

105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 55.7 mi 1h 4m
I 35 54.7 mi 59m
IA 5 35.4 mi 42m
220th Avenue 22.6 mi 30m
460th Avenue 13 mi 17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 10.7 mi 12m
Marengo Avenue 4.8 mi 6m
I 80 2.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 55.7 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 8th Street

87 ft · 8 sec · 8th Street
2

Turn right onto Lawler Street

332 ft · 14 sec · Lawler Street
3

Turn left onto US 18; IA 4

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Main Street
4

Turn right onto IA 4

1.0 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street
5

Continue on IA 4

13 mi · 17 min · 460th Avenue
6

Continue on IA 4

11 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
7

Continue on IA 4

1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 7th Street
8

Continue on IA 4

11 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
9

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
10

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

0.7 mi · 1 min · North East Street
11

Continue on IA 4; IA 7

4.3 mi · 5 min · Marengo Avenue
12

Keep slight left at fork onto IA 4

2.3 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
13

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 20 East
14

Merge onto US 20

56 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 20
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
16

Merge onto I 35

54 mi · 59 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

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
18

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport
19

Merge onto I 80

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 80
20

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
21

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
23

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 21 min · IA 5
24

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 min · IA 5; IA 92
25

Take the exit onto IA 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5
26

Turn right onto IA 5

5.8 mi · 8 min · IA 5
27

Turn sharp right onto CR G76

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Highway G76
28

Continue on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
29

Arrive at destination

CR G76

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 18-minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single day excursion. Leaving Emmetsburg in the morning will allow you to arrive in Indiana with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop along the way; with the longest stretch being 55.7 miles, you'll have opportunities to refuel or stretch your legs before reaching your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on US 20, to ensure you're prepared for the $33 estimated fuel cost.

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 105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 46 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 105.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 31m

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 Emmetsburg, 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 Emmetsburg, IA

This is one driving day of about 210.5 miles and 4h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Emmetsburg, 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 US 20 for about 55.7 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

105 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

Carroll, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Emmetsburg, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 135.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

2.4 mi

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.3

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.4

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15152628435

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155981783

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.4

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.3

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Emmetsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 90.2

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.2

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 135.3

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 90.2

Webster City, IA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 120.3

Story City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 135.3

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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161 — 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 | Lawler Street

Turn right onto Lawler Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 18; IA 4 / Main Street

Turn left onto US 18; IA 4 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
46.2 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the ramp toward US 20 East

Navigation decision point

Toward US 20 East
6
157.5 mi into trip | ~3h 12m 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...
8
161 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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

$32.91 one way

$65.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.13 $72.27
premium $4.89 $40.51 $81.02
diesel $5.61 $46.48 $92.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.2 0 $22.10 $10.10
Efficient EV 52.6 0 $18.42 $8.42
EV Truck/SUV 84.2 1 $29.47 $13.47

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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

Emmetsburg, IA

Night in Emmetsburg on Saturday

Local time

11:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Night in Indiana on Saturday

Local time

11:44 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

4h 18m 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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 210.5-mile journey. With 71% of the route on highways, you'll experience a good amount of faster-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55.7 miles on US 20, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While the route is primarily highway-centric, the transition between US 20, I 35, and IA 5 means you'll encounter different road surfaces and speeds, keeping the experience from being entirely monotonous.

71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lawler Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 210.5 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 (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

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

Council Bluffs

157.5 mi in | ~3h 12m | via I 35

Davenport

157.5 mi in | ~3h 12m | via I 35

Des Moines

161 mi in | ~3h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 210.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 55.7 miles on US 20. 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.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Indiana, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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