Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
272.4 mi
438 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Sheldon, IA
Jul L. G.
This 272.4-mile drive from Indiana, IA, to Sheldon, IA, is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest, primarily utilizing US 20 and I 35. With an estimated duration of 5 hours and 33 minutes, it's very manageable as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for getting between these two points. The projected fuel cost is around $43, which is quite reasonable for this distance. The highway-focused profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roads, this route offers a practical way to travel within Iowa without needing an overnight stop.
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
136.2 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
| 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 |
| State Highway 3 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| IA 60 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana, IA and Sheldon, IA.
Start on CR G76
Continue on CR G76
Turn sharp left onto IA 5
Take the ramp onto IA 5
Turn right
Continue on IA 5
Take the exit
Merge onto US 65
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Merge onto US 20
Turn right onto CR M27
Continue on CR M27
Turn left onto IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Continue on IA 7
Turn left onto IA 3
Turn straight onto IA 3
Turn right onto IA 3
Continue on IA 3
Continue on IA 3
Continue on IA 3
Turn right onto IA 143
Continue on IA 143
Continue on IA 143
Turn left onto IA 10
Continue on IA 10
Continue on IA 10
Turn right onto L22
Turn right onto IA 60
Take the exit onto IA 60 Business
Turn left onto IA 60 Business
Turn right onto 9th Street
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour and 33-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Sheldon, IA, without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 92.8 miles, you can easily plan one fuel and rest break mid-journey. The estimated $43 fuel cost is straightforward to budget for. A practical tip for this route: keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into the 92.8-mile stretch on US 20, as services can be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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.
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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheldon, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 272.4 miles and 5h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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.
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.2 miles from Indiana, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 270.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn sharp left onto IA 5
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto IA 60 Business toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$42.59 one way
$85.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.76 | $93.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.42 | $104.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.14 | $120.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.60 | $13.08 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109 | 1 | $38.14 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Late night in Sheldon on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with about 75% of the 272.4 miles on major roadways like US 20 and I 35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.8 miles on US 20, so plan your breaks accordingly. While the route is predominantly highway, the inclusion of State Highway 5 suggests you might experience some transitions to slightly less direct, though still efficient, travel. This profile suggests a drive where you can maintain consistent speeds for significant portions of the journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IA 5.
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 272.4 miles you will encounter 19 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.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 272.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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