Indiana, IA to Algona, IA is 182.5 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 35 and US 169, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Iowa. With over 90% of the route on highways, expect a focused and efficient journey. It’s a solid option for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
91.3 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
55 mi
59m
US 169
43.5 mi
1h 1m
US 20
31.2 mi
35m
State Highway 5
18.2 mi
20m
IA 5
17 mi
21m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi
11m
County Highway G76
2 mi
3m
I 80
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 55 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Algona, IA.
1
Start on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
2
Continue on CR G76
0.2 mi·26 sec·County Highway G76
3
Turn sharp left onto IA 5
6.1 mi·9 min·IA 5
4
Take the ramp onto IA 5
11 mi·12 min·IA 5
5
Turn right
0.1 mi·7 sec
6
Continue on IA 5
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 5
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto US 65
10 mi·11 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
10
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi·1 min·I 80
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 137BToward I-35 north: MinneapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·42 sec·this road
Exit 137BToward I-35 north: Minneapolis
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·52 sec·this road
Exit 137BToward I-35 North: Minneapolis
14
Merge onto I 35
55 mi·59 min·I 35
Toward I 35 North: MinneapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
16
Merge onto US 20
31 mi·35 min·US 20
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 169
18
Turn right onto US 169
44 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 169
19
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·East McGregor Street
20
Turn right onto South Jones Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·South Jones Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 169
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 45 minutes, this route is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch is only 55 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into longer stretches on I 35. The estimated fuel cost is $29, so budget accordingly when planning your departure.
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 91.3 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Indiana, 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 Indiana, IA
This is one driving day of about 182.5 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Indiana, 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 55 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 51.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|IA 5
Turn sharp left onto IA 5
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in|IA 5
Take the ramp onto IA 5
Navigation decision point
5
48.2 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
51.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.53 one way
$57.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.33
$62.65
premium
$4.89
$35.12
$70.24
diesel
$5.61
$40.29
$80.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.8
0
$19.16
$8.76
Efficient EV
45.6
0
$15.97
$7.30
EV Truck/SUV
73
0
$25.55
$11.68
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Algona, IA
Late night
in Algona on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
23 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
3h 45m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 35 and US 20. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 55 miles on I 35, offering a period of uninterrupted travel. The road profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced experience, ideal for covering ground efficiently. Expect a consistent driving environment as you navigate these primary routes across the state.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 169. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.
Driving Effort5/10
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 182.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.1 miles (IA 5): Navigation decision point; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 182.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55 miles on I 35. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 8.1 miles (IA 5): Navigation decision point; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Algona, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
