Origin
Fort Dodge, IA
Night in Fort Dodge on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Dodge, 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
2h 50m
Distance
141.6 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Dodge, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
Embarking from Fort Dodge, Iowa, this straightforward 141.6-mile journey to Indiana, Iowa, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with an 85% highway share, making it an efficient drive. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, this trip offers a budget-friendly option for traversing the Midwest. You'll find this drive to be a practical choice for a quick transit between two points within Iowa, allowing for a relaxed pace or a swift arrival at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.8 miles from Fort Dodge, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 54.7 mi | 59m |
| IA 5 | 35.4 mi | 42m |
| US 20 Business | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| I 80 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| 8th Avenue South | 1 mi | 2m |
| Mill Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 54.7 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Avenue South
2
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 32nd Street
3
Continue on Paragon Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Paragon Avenue
4
Continue on Mill Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Road
5
Continue on 220th Street
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
220th Street
6
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Quail Avenue
7
Continue on US 20 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Avenue
8
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 20 Business
Toward US 20 East
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
10
Merge onto I 35
54 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
13
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
17
Continue on IA 5
19 mi
·
21 min
·
IA 5
18
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
19
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
20
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
21
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
22
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
23
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 50-minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion from Fort Dodge to Indiana, Iowa. You can comfortably depart anytime, though an early start might allow for a more leisurely pace, especially since there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $22, and plan your refill accordingly, perhaps before leaving Fort Dodge or at a major junction. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 54 miles on I 35, so ensure you're comfortable with highway driving for that duration.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.8 miles from Fort Dodge, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.8 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
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 Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, IA
This is one driving day of about 141.6 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Fort Dodge, 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 35 for about 54.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.8 miles from Fort Dodge, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 92.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South 32nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 20 Business
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
5
34.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
88.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m 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
92.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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
$22.14 one way
$44.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.31 | $48.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.25 | $54.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.26 | $62.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.39 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.82 | $9.06 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Indiana, IA
Night in Indiana on Saturday
Local time
11:39 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
3 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
2h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This road trip is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with a significant 85% of the mileage on major thoroughfares. Expect a consistent driving rhythm for much of the journey, including a notable longest stretch of 54.7 miles along I 35. The primary roads guiding you are I 35 and IA 5, supplemented by US 20 Business. While largely a high-speed affair, the transition onto and off of these main arteries will offer a brief change of pace. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and IA 5. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South 32nd Street.
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 141.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Navigation decision point; at 34.1 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Dodge, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.
Council Bluffs
88.6 mi in
|
~1h 43m
|
via I 35
Davenport
88.6 mi in
|
~1h 43m
|
via I 35
Des Moines
92.2 mi in
|
~1h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 141.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 1 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Navigation decision point; at 34.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indiana, IA before heading back.
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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