If you are planning a trip from Iowa City to Indiana, Iowa, you are looking at a manageable 118.8-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. This Midwest route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. Because the path relies heavily on major infrastructure, you can count on a consistent pace throughout the drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the direct nature of this trip makes it a straightforward choice for any driver.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
79.2 mi
1h 25m
State Highway 14
23.5 mi
34m
IA 5
7.5 mi
11m
North Lincoln Street
2.3 mi
3m
County Highway G76
2 mi
3m
North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
3m
Monroe Street
1 mi
1m
South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 79.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·South Gilbert Street
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·22 sec·Kimball Road
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi·3 min·North Dubuque Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 80
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
7
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 14
8
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
9
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
10
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi·3 min·North Lincoln Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
12
Merge onto IA 5; IA 92
1.2 mi·1 min·IA 5; IA 92
13
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
14
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
15
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
16
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
17
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any localized commuter traffic. Given the 2-hour and 28-minute duration, you likely won't need an official stop, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Iowa City ensures a stress-free trip. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, plan for a quick break right as you transition from I-80 to the state highway system. Pay close attention to your speed as you move from the interstate to State Highway 14 and IA-5, as speed limits will adjust accordingly. Taking advantage of the shorter travel time allows you to maximize your day at your destination without feeling rushed on the road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.2 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indiana, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA
This is one driving day of about 118.8 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Iowa City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 79.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 116.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|North Dubuque Street
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
3
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
5
116.7 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|CR G76 / County Highway G76
Turn sharp right onto CR G76 / County Highway G76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.57 one way
$37.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.39
$40.78
premium
$4.89
$22.86
$45.72
diesel
$5.61
$26.23
$52.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.75
EV Truck/SUV
47.5
0
$16.63
$7.60
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Indiana, IA
Morning
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
10:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
2 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
2h 28m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of your travel time will be spent on paved, high-speed thoroughfares. You will begin with a significant 79.2-mile stretch on I-80, which serves as the backbone of your journey before you transition onto State Highway 14 and IA-5. While the interstate portion allows for steady cruising, the character of the road shifts once you peel off onto the state highways. This combination of segments ensures you spend the bulk of your time at highway speeds, keeping the drive efficient. You will find that the rhythm of the trip is defined by these long, uninterrupted miles, providing a predictable and steady behind-the-wheel experience.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
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 Iowa City, IA to Indiana, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
81.7 mi in|~1h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 118.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 79.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indiana, IA before heading back.
