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Trip from Indiana, IA to Cascade, 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 38m

Distance

174.7 mi

281 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 26m ★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m

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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Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

city in Iowa, United States

Cascade, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 174.7-mile journey from Indiana, IA, to Cascade, IA, is a manageable 3-hour and 38-minute drive, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $27, it's a budget-friendly excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its "Turn-heavy local drive" profile and 0% highway share, suggesting a more intimate exploration of the Midwest landscape. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. Given its relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your timing.

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

87.4 miles from Indiana, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 81.4 mi 1h 27m
US 151 24.5 mi 28m
State Highway 14 23.3 mi 34m
State Highway 1 15.5 mi 21m
Highway 1 Northeast 10.7 mi 14m
IA 5 7.6 mi 11m
South Lincoln Street 2.2 mi 3m
County Highway G76 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 81.4 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Cascade, 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

1.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
6

Turn right onto IA 14

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Lincoln Street
7

Continue on IA 14

13 mi · 18 min · State Highway 14
8

Continue on IA 14

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Monroe Street
9

Continue on IA 14

11 mi · 16 min · State Highway 14
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
11

Merge onto I 80

81 mi · 1 hr 27 min · I 80
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
13

Turn left onto IA 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Dodge Street
14

Continue on IA 1

7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
15

Continue on IA 1

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Market Street
16

Continue on IA 1

3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
17

Continue on IA 1

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
18

Enter roundabout onto IA 1

132 ft · 5 sec · State Highway 1
19

Continue on IA 1

0.1 mi · 18 sec · State Highway 1
20

Continue on IA 1

1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue South
21

Continue on IA 1

10 mi · 13 min · State Highway 1
22

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
23

Merge onto US 151

24 mi · 28 min · US 151
24

Turn right onto US 151 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 151 Business
25

Arrive at destination

US 151 Business

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 38-minute drive covering 174.7 miles, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Cascade, IA, without feeling rushed. Since it's a turn-heavy route with no long highway stretches, pay close attention to your GPS or navigation system to ensure you don't miss any turns, especially on County Highway G76. Factor in the estimated $27 fuel cost and consider making your single planned stop in a town that offers a chance to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can depart later if needed, but an earlier start maximizes your daylight hours.

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 87.4 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 38 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.4 miles or 1h 50m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cascade, 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 174.7 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 80 for about 81.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown North Liberty, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Liberty, IA

87 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

Newton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Liberty, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from Indiana, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 miles.

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

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coralville, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195453131

Visit website

Steak 'n Shake

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Coralville, Iowa

0.3 mi

Red Lobster

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Coralville, Iowa

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Liberty, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13192598505

Visit website

Good Vibes Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Solon, Iowa

2.6 mi

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tiffin, Iowa

2.4 mi

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195453131

Visit website

Steak 'n Shake

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13198006117

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193386400

Visit website

Culver’s

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13195458255

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193399100

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193589100

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13195452455

Visit website

Taco John's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13195195041

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13192598505

Visit website

Good Vibes Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.8

Solon, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13196248423

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

The Café

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 6–11 am

+13196884000

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Filling Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 112.3

Iowa City, Iowa

+13193357510

Visit website

EMRB Café

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 112.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+13193357126

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 74.9

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 162.3

Monticello, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13194655916

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 87.4

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 112.3

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 112.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 112.3

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

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 2 and 148.3 — 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

4
118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Take the exit toward IA 1: Mount Vernon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
5
136.7 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | IA 1 / State Highway 1

Enter roundabout onto IA 1 / State Highway 1

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
148.3 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.31 one way

$54.62 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.99 $59.98
premium $4.89 $33.62 $67.24
diesel $5.61 $38.57 $77.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.4 0 $18.34 $8.39
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.29 $6.99
EV Truck/SUV 69.9 0 $24.46 $11.18

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Night in Indiana on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cascade, IA

Night in Cascade on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

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 38m 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 winding, turn-heavy experience on this route, as it predominantly follows local roads like County Highway G76 and South Lincoln Street, with a brief section on Highway 14. With a 0% highway share, this drive offers a more direct engagement with the surrounding terrain rather than high-speed travel. The absence of a designated longest stretch suggests frequent turns and transitions, characteristic of navigating through smaller communities and rural areas. This drive is about the journey itself, with the road constantly shifting and presenting new directions.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 151. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 38m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 174.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on I 80. 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 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Cascade, 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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