Origin
Indiana, IA
Late night in Indiana on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Indiana, IA to Oakland, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
154.2 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Oakland, IA
Robert So
Trip Overview
This 154.2-mile drive from Indiana, IA, to Oakland, IA, is a straightforward journey primarily along I-80 and State Highway 5. Expect to spend around 3 hours and 2 minutes on the road, making it an ideal day trip within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this route is about $24. With 89% of the drive on highways, it's a focused trip designed for efficient travel. You'll encounter one planned stop, and the longest continuous stretch is 82 miles on I-80. This route offers a practical way to connect two points within Iowa.
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
77.1 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 82 mi | 1h 27m |
| State Highway 5 | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| IA 5 | 17 mi | 21m |
| US 59 | 14 mi | 20m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| I 35 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 82 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Oakland, 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
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 5
7
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
John MacVicar Freeway
12
Merge onto I 80
82 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
14
Turn straight onto US 59
14 mi
·
20 min
·
US 59
15
Turn right onto US 6; US 59
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6; US 59
16
Turn left onto North Kearney Street
369 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Kearney Street
17
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
111 ft
·
4 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Oakland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart in the morning and arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight remaining. The single recommended stop is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, budgeting is simple. Since the longest stretch is 82 miles on I-80, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint of that segment. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart on 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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.1 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.1 miles or 1h 32m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, 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 154.2 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 82 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.1 miles from Indiana, 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 82 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 55.9 — 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
38.4 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
50.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
5
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
55.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
Ramp 72 J
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.11 one way
$48.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.47 | $52.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.67 | $59.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.05 | $68.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.19 | $7.40 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.49 | $6.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.59 | $9.87 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Oakland, IA
Late night in Oakland on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
8 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 2m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the mileage spent on interstates and state highways. You'll navigate stretches of I-80, experiencing the efficiency of major roadways, and also utilize State Highway 5. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 82 miles on I-80, allowing for a sustained period of steady driving. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, keep an eye out for any changes in road type as you transition between I-80 and IA 5. This route prioritizes directness over varied terrain.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 5. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 154.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 38.4 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Indiana, IA to Oakland, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Harlan along the way.
Harlan
138.9 mi in
|
~2h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 154.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82 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.
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 Oakland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (IA 5): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.4 miles (US 65; IA 5 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Oakland, 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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