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Trip from Orange City, IA to Indiana, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

288.1 mi

464 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Orange City, IA, IA

Orange City, IA

Levent Simsek

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 288.1-mile journey from Orange City, IA to Indiana, IA is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 80 and IA 5, with a portion on US 75, the route is largely highway-focused, making it efficient for covering ground across the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this trip is budget-friendly. The drive offers a straightforward path within Iowa, suitable for those looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. Consider starting early to make the most of daylight hours.

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

144.1 miles from Orange City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 95.2 mi 1h 42m
IA 5 36 mi 44m
US 75 30.1 mi 36m
I 880 16 mi 17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 12.9 mi 14m
IA 60 10.4 mi 12m
I 35 3.8 mi 4m
County Road K64 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orange City, IA and Indiana, IA.

1

Start on 2nd Street Northwest

430 ft · 25 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
2

Turn right onto Albany Avenue

1.2 mi · 3 min · Albany Avenue
3

Continue on Albany Place

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Albany Place
4

Continue on County Road K64

3.7 mi · 5 min · County Road K64
5

Turn right onto IA 60

10 mi · 12 min · IA 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on US 75

30 mi · 36 min · US 75
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

73 mi · 1 hr 19 min
Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 71 Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
10

Continue on I 880

16 mi · 17 min · I 880
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 43 sec
Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.3 mi · 18 sec · I 80
Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Ramp 72 H
Exit 123B Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
15

Merge onto I 35

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 68 Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on IA 5

13 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto IA 5

19 mi · 22 min · IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 min · IA 5; IA 92
20

Take the exit onto IA 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5
21

Turn right onto IA 5

5.8 mi · 8 min · IA 5
22

Turn sharp right onto CR G76

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Highway G76
23

Continue on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
24

Arrive at destination

CR G76

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 28-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to allow for a comfortable pace and potential brief stops. The longest stretch without a break is over 95 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway mark. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is a good practice. The single stop indicated suggests that most of your time will be spent on the road, so ensure you're prepared for the duration.

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 144.1 miles from Orange City, IA, or about 2h 44m 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 63 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 144.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 24m

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 Orange 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 Orange City, IA

This is one driving day of about 288.1 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Orange City, 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.

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avoca, IA

144 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

Sergeant Bluff, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avoca, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.1 miles from Orange City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.2

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.2

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 205.8

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Lally's Eastside Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.6

Le Mars, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+17125464406

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 226.4

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Bamboo Village Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.5

Missouri Valley, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17126006542

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 144.1

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 41.2

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 41.2

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 41.2

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 205.8

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 226.4

Waukee, Iowa

+18887584389

Red E Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 205.8

Stuart, Iowa

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 226.4

Waukee, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 236.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
46 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 29: Sioux City, Council Bluffs
6
46.3 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 29 South: Council Bluffs, Sioux Gatewa...
8
136.3 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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
231.9 mi into trip | ~4h 19m 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...
8
236.4 mi into trip | ~4h 24m 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

$45.04 one way

$90.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $49.45 $98.91
premium $4.89 $55.44 $110.88
diesel $5.61 $63.61 $127.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.4 1 $30.25 $13.83
Efficient EV 72 0 $25.21 $11.52
EV Truck/SUV 115.2 1 $40.33 $18.44

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Orange City, IA

Evening in Orange City on Saturday

Local time

8:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Evening in Indiana on Saturday

Local time

8:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Avoca, IA

144 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

22 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 28m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll find this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 66% of the route on faster roads. Expect extended periods on I 80, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 95.2 miles. While the majority is interstate, there are shifts to state highways like IA 5 and US 75, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. The overall character is one of steady progress, designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 288.1 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Orange City, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Sioux Gateway Airport, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.

Council Bluffs

46 mi in | ~57m

Sioux Gateway Airport

46.3 mi in | ~58m

Minneapolis

231.9 mi in | ~4h 19m | via I 80

Kansas City

231.9 mi in | ~4h 19m | via I 80

Des Moines

236.4 mi in | ~4h 24m

Norwalk

236.4 mi in | ~4h 24m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 288.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Indiana, IA before the return drive.

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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