Trip from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

184.9 mi

298 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 22m ★

6 AM

3h 35m

8 AM

3h 59m

10 AM

3h 43m

12 PM

3h 41m

3 PM

3h 45m

5 PM

3h 58m

8 PM

3h 27m

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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Indiana, IA

Kelly

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Carter Lake, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 184.9-mile journey from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA will take approximately 3 hours and 34 minutes to complete, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate County Highway G76 and Highway 5, with a segment on the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this drive offers an affordable way to explore the Midwest. The route features one recommended stop and is characterized by frequent turns, so keep your attention on the road. This is a straightforward drive that doesn't require 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

92.5 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
County Highway G76	—	—
Highway 5	—	—
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	—	—
I-35 north	—	—
I 80 west	—	—
John MacVicar Freeway	—	—
I 80 West	—	—
I 29 North	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: County Highway G76 — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on County Highway G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76

Continue on County Highway G76

0.2 mi · 26 sec · County Highway G76

Turn sharp left

6.1 mi · 9 min

Take the ramp left

11 mi · 12 min

Turn right

0.1 mi · 7 sec

Continue on State Highway 5

19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 5

Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

12 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

0.9 mi · 1 min · I-35 north: Minneapolis

Merge slight left

4.3 mi · 5 min

Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 80 west: Council Bluffs

Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

0.5 mi · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway

Merge slight right

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

24 mi · 25 min · I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs

Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 29 North: Sioux City

Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West

1.7 mi · 3 min · I 480 West, US 6 West

Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

0.3 mi · 40 sec · 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

Turn right onto North 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 14th Street

Turn right onto Izard Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Izard Street

Continue on North 11th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Street

Turn right onto East Locust Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Locust Street

Turn left onto North 9th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 34-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 184.9-mile drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample daylight. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the journey and refuel if needed, keeping the $28 fuel cost in mind. Pay close attention to road signs, especially as you navigate County Highway G76 and Highway 5, to avoid missing turns. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient, but an early start is always recommended for local drives.

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 92.5 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.

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 41 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.5 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, 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 184.9 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

92 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

Knoxville, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.5 miles from Indiana, 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 Breakfast Club

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+15152247030

Visit website

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Walnut, Iowa

1.1 mi

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.8

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Omaha, Nebraska

2.8 mi

The Breakfast Club

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+15152247030

Visit website

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.1

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 184.9

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Jackson's Fair Deal Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 184.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15314448393

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.7

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Fig.

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 184.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15319991284

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.8

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 184.9

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.8

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

TMC Chrome Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.8

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15154758085

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.5

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.8

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.91 one way

$57.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$31.74	$63.48
premium	$4.89	$35.58	$71.16
diesel	$5.61	$40.82	$81.65

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: 64.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.5	$19.41	$8.88
Efficient EV	46.2	$16.18	$7.40
EV Truck/SUV	74	$25.89	$11.83

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Indiana, IA

Morning in Indiana on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carter Lake, IA

Morning in Carter Lake on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

5 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

3h 34m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 184.9-mile route, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be on smaller roads for the entire duration, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction. While there's no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be actively steering much of the time. The drive progresses through local Iowa landscapes, offering a more intimate feel than interstate travel. It's a route that keeps you engaged with the nuances of county and state highways.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Main road: County Highway G76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA is easy. At 3h 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 184.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Carter Lake, 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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Explore more options from Indiana, IA or browse trips ending in Carter Lake, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Breakfast Club

Hyper Energy Bar

The Breakfast Club

The Backfield Bar & Grill

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

Mercy Thai Restaurant

Jackson's Fair Deal Café

Chuckwagon Restaurant

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

Fig.

Hyper Energy Bar

Café Postale

SweetDude Coffee & Café

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

TMC Chrome Cafe

Casey Creamery

Life Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

The Old Market

Museum Of Shadows

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Indiana, IA

Carter Lake, IA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 34m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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