This 211.4-mile journey from Onawa, IA to Indiana, IA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on I-80 and I-29, with a brief stint on IA-5, making it a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $33, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip within the Midwest. The drive is straightforward, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
105.7 miles from Onawa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
95.2 mi
1h 42m
I 29
40.5 mi
43m
IA 5
36 mi
44m
I 880
16 mi
17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi
14m
I 35
3.8 mi
4m
County Highway G76
2 mi
3m
Iowa Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,582 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,907
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 47 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 Onawa, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on 10th Street
29 ft·8 sec·10th Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.0 mi·1 min·Iowa Avenue
3
Continue on IA 175
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 175
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
5
Merge onto I 29
40 mi·43 min·I 29
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
7
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi·51 sec·Ramp 72 H
Exit 123BToward I 35 South: Kansas City
12
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi·4 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 68Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, NorwalkUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on IA 5
13 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi·22 min·IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
16
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi·11 min·IA 5; IA 92
17
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi·1 min·IA 5
18
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi·8 min·IA 5
19
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway G76
20
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
21
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 59-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Onawa, IA will allow you to arrive in Indiana, IA with plenty of daylight remaining. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 95 miles. The main roads are I-80 and I-29, so keep an eye on traffic patterns typical of major interstates. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's a good idea to fill up before leaving Onawa to ensure you have sufficient fuel for the entire trip.
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 105.7 miles from Onawa, IA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.7 miles or 1h 56m 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 11m
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 Onawa, 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 Onawa, IA
This is one driving day of about 211.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Onawa, 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 95.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.9 and 159.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
42.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 880 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
8
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
155.2 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
5
155.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|Ramp 72 H
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H toward I 35 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
8
159.7 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.22 one way
$62.44 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.46
$68.93
premium
$4.72
$39.25
$78.50
diesel
$4.80
$39.92
$79.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.4
0
$22.20
$10.15
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.50
$8.46
EV Truck/SUV
84.6
1
$29.60
$13.53
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Onawa, IA
Late night
in Onawa on Sunday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
ENE 5 to 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Indiana, IA
Late night
in Indiana on Sunday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NE 3 to 8 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
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
1 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 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 91% of your journey on interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 95.2 miles on I-80 without major interruptions, so be prepared for sustained highway cruising. While the profile is largely interstate, the inclusion of IA-5 offers a slight variation before rejoining the main highways. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways, providing a consistent driving experience for most of its duration.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 211.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,384 ft873 ft
Total Climb
456 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
1,384 ft
~105.7 mi in
Elevation Range
511 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Onawa, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
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 3h 59m. Total distance: 211.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Indiana, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Indiana, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
