Origin
Hamburg, IA
Late night in Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
222.9 mi
359 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamburg, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
This 222.9-mile drive from Hamburg, Iowa, to Indiana, Iowa, is a straightforward journey across the Midwest, taking approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip, with an estimated fuel cost of around $35. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for covering ground. You'll primarily navigate via I-80 and I-29, with a portion on IA-5. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this trip offers flexibility for departure times and stops.
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
111.5 miles from Hamburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 118.5 mi | 2h 7m |
| I 29 | 46.4 mi | 49m |
| IA 5 | 36 mi | 44m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 333 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Ramp 72 H | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hamburg, IA and Indiana, IA.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto IA 333
Continue on IA 333
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Continue on I 80; US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Continue on IA 5
Take the exit onto IA 5
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
Take the exit onto IA 5
Turn right onto IA 5
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
Continue on CR G76
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour drive, starting earlier in the day will give you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I-80, plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the 100-mile mark. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 118.5-mile segment on I-80, as services might be more spread out in that particular stretch. This trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your schedule.
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.
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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indiana, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hamburg, 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 Hamburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 222.9 miles and 4h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111.5 miles from Hamburg, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.9 and 171.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H toward I 35 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$34.85 one way
$69.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.26 | $76.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.90 | $85.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.21 | $98.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.40 | $10.70 |
| Efficient EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.50 | $8.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.2 | 1 | $31.21 | $14.27 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
49°F
Audubon, IA
111 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-80 and I-29. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.5 miles on I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a driving experience centered on efficiency rather than winding country roads or frequent scenic overlooks. The transition onto IA-5 will offer a slight variation, but the overall character remains that of a substantial highway journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.9 miles in.
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 222.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 47.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 166.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167 miles (Ramp 72 H): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hamburg, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Minneapolis
Kansas City
Des Moines
Norwalk
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 222.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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