Indiana, IA to Cherokee, IA is 226.9 miles and takes about 4h 31m via US 20 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a practical option for getting between these two points efficiently. Plan for a smooth ride with minimal navigational complexity.
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
113.4 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
92.8 mi
1h 47m
I 35
55 mi
59m
State Highway 5
18.2 mi
20m
IA 5
17 mi
21m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi
11m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
530th Street
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 92.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~965 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,423
Quietest
2 AM
~93 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Cherokee, 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
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 20
17
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
18
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
19
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
20
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
21
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
22
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi·2 min·V Avenue
23
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 3
24
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.5 mi·4 min·530th Street
25
Keep slight left at fork onto State Highway 977
0.4 mi·36 sec·State Highway 977
26
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Main Street
27
Turn left onto US 59
156 ft·7 sec·South 2nd Street
28
Turn right
104 ft·7 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4h 31m drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight, and since there's only one recommended stop, you have flexibility. The fuel cost is estimated at around $40, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 92.8-mile stretch on US 20. This route is mostly highway, so enjoy the straightforward driving, but be aware of the transition to state roads as you approach your destination.
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 113.4 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.8 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cherokee, 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 226.9 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 US 20 for about 92.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 226.9 — 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
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
5
226.9 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.51 one way
$67.02 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.99
$73.98
premium
$4.72
$42.13
$84.26
diesel
$4.80
$42.84
$85.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.1
0
$23.82
$10.89
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.08
EV Truck/SUV
90.8
1
$31.77
$14.52
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Indiana, IA
Evening
in Indiana on Saturday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 6 to 9 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Cherokee, IA
Evening
in Cherokee on Saturday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
2 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
4h 31m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 83% of the total distance covered on them. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 92.8 miles on US 20, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. After the highway sections, you'll transition to state roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a fairly direct experience with less frequent exits during the highway portions.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.8 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.
Driving Effort6/10
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 226.9 miles you will encounter 16 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 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,472 ft859 ft
Total Climb
694 ft
Total Descent
420 ft
Highest Point
1,472 ft
~194.5 mi in
Elevation Range
613 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Indiana is a state in the heart of the Midwest region of the United States. Indiana is more than a fly-over state with one large metropolitan area, rural farmland, and cozy college towns.
Top landmarks
•Wyandotte Caves — park and its caverns in southern Indiana
•Eskenazi Museum of Art — museum at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana
•Miller House and Garden — historic home in Columbus, Indiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 226.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m 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 92.8 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cherokee, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Cherokee, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
