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
.
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
State Highway 3
8.8 mi
12m
IA 60
7.1 mi
8m
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 Sheldon, 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
3.1 mi·4 min·530th Street
25
Turn right onto IA 3
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
26
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
27
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
28
Continue on IA 3
5.0 mi·7 min·490th Street
29
Turn right onto IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
30
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
31
Continue on IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
32
Turn left onto IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
33
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
34
Continue on IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
35
Turn right onto L22
5.5 mi·7 min·Log Avenue
36
Turn right onto IA 60
7.1 mi·8 min·IA 60
37
Take the exit onto IA 60 Business
0.3 mi·43 sec·IA 60 Business
Toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
38
Turn left onto IA 60 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·2nd Avenue
39
Turn right onto 9th Street
25 ft·0 sec·9th Street
40
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 136.2 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 2h 38m 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 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.
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 272.4 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 19
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.
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
270.6 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|IA 60 Business
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
Toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.23 one way
$80.45 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.41
$88.82
premium
$4.72
$50.58
$101.15
diesel
$4.80
$51.43
$102.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
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, 2026-07-13.
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
$23.84
$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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
SW 9 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sheldon, IA
Late night
in Sheldon on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
87°F
Gilbert, IA
136 mi in
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
3 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
5h 33m 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?
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.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?
5/10
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.
Driving Effort5/10
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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,476 ft839 ft
Total Climb
731 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
1,476 ft
~194.6 mi in
Elevation Range
637 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 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.
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.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheldon, IA before the return drive.
