If you are looking to travel from Guthrie Center to Indiana, Iowa, prepare for a 107.1-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek across the Midwest, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day. Budget about $16 for fuel to cover the distance, which is quite reasonable for a solo trip or a quick getaway. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the freedom to decide your own pace. This drive is best suited for those who prefer navigating local roads rather than sticking to major interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Guthrie Center, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
36.3 mi
39m
IA 5
36 mi
44m
State Highway 25
13.4 mi
20m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
I 35
3.8 mi
4m
County Highway G76
2 mi
3m
Pecan Avenue
1 mi
1m
Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 36.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guthrie Center, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on IA 44
249 ft·6 sec·State Street
2
Turn right onto IA 25
0.3 mi·30 sec·South 5th Street
3
Continue on IA 25
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 25
4
Continue on IA 25
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 25
5
Turn right onto IA 25
1.0 mi·1 min·Pecan Avenue
6
Continue on IA 25
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 25
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
8
Merge onto I 80; US 6
36 mi·38 min·I 80; US 6
9
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.
10
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi·51 sec·Ramp 72 H
Exit 123BToward I 35 South: Kansas City
11
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi·4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
15
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
16
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
17
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
18
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
19
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
20
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a morning start is always a smart way to beat the afternoon fatigue. Given the lack of designated stops, make sure to check your fuel levels before leaving Guthrie Center so you don't have to hunt for a station mid-trip. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy route on local roads, you should stay alert for shifting speed limits as you transition between sections. A great tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system running, as the reliance on local roads like Pecan Avenue and Highway 25 can make it easy to miss a turn if you aren't paying close attention.
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 53.7 miles from Guthrie Center, IA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.3 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 45m
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 Guthrie Center, 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 Guthrie Center, IA
This is one driving day of about 107.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Guthrie Center, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 36.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.2 and 105.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
51.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.79 one way
$33.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.44
$36.87
premium
$4.89
$20.67
$41.34
diesel
$5.61
$23.71
$47.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
Efficient EV
26.9
0
$9.40
$4.30
EV Truck/SUV
43
0
$15.04
$6.87
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 20, 2026
Origin
Guthrie Center, IA
Late night
in Guthrie Center on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Norwalk, IA
54 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
2h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend your time navigating South 5th Street, Highway 25, and Pecan Avenue, as the route consists of 0% highway driving. This configuration means you won't be dealing with monotonous interstate cruising, but rather a more hands-on experience on regional roads. The constant turns require your full attention, making the 107.1-mile journey feel distinct from a standard highway commute. It is a practical, ground-level look at the local landscape that prioritizes backroads over speed.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.2 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 107.4 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: at 51.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 51.9 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 Guthrie Center, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Minneapolis
51.2 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 80
Kansas City
51.2 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 80
Des Moines
55.7 mi in|~1h 7m
Norwalk
55.7 mi in|~1h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 107.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.3 miles on I 80. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.5 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 51.9 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.
