Origin
Osage, IA
Late night in Osage on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Osage, IA to Indiana, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
194.9 mi
314 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Osage, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 194.9-mile drive from Osage, IA to Indiana, IA is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, entirely within Iowa. With a duration of 3 hours and 49 minutes, it's an easy day trip with a modest estimated fuel cost of $30. The route primarily utilizes I-35 and IA-5, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Given its manageable length and focus on major roadways, you won't need to worry about overnight stops. This highway-focused drive offers a simple way to cover ground efficiently within the region.
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
97.5 miles from Osage, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 102.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| IA 5 | 35.4 mi | 42m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 27 mi | 31m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| Lancer Avenue | 9.9 mi | 17m |
| I 80 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| County Highway G76 | 2 mi | 3m |
| South 7th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 102.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osage, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on US 218; IA 9
38 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto South 7th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South 7th Street
3
Continue on Lancer Avenue
9.9 mi
·
17 min
·
Lancer Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 18; IA 27
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
6
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
this road
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
7
Merge onto I 35
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
10
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
14
Continue on IA 5
19 mi
·
21 min
·
IA 5
15
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
11 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
16
Take the exit onto IA 5
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
17
Turn right onto IA 5
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 5
18
Turn sharp right onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
19
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
20
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under four hours, this route from Osage to Indiana, IA is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility. You could easily depart in the morning, reach your destination, and be back by evening if needed. Plan for one main stop, perhaps midway through the 102.9-mile stretch on I-35, to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the fuel cost estimate of $30, it's wise to fill up before you leave Osage to ensure you have ample range for the entire 194.9 miles.
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 97.5 miles from Osage, IA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.9 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.5 miles or 1h 55m 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 6m
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 Osage, 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 Osage, IA
This is one driving day of about 194.9 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Osage, 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 35 for about 102.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.5 miles from Osage, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 39.2 and 146.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.2 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
141.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
5
142.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
8
145.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
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 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
5
146.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
US 65 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto US 65 / Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.47 one way
$60.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.46 | $66.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.51 | $75.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.03 | $86.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.46 | $9.36 |
| Efficient EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.05 | $7.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78 | 0 | $27.29 | $12.47 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Indiana, IA
Late night in Indiana on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
3 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
3h 49m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 194.9-mile journey, with 72% of the route on major highways like I-35 and the Avenue of the Saints. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 102.9 miles on I-35, so be prepared for sustained driving on this section. While largely interstate, there are segments on IA-5 that might offer a slight change of pace. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding backroads, designed for getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.9 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and IA 5. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.2 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 194.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 39.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Osage, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.
Council Bluffs
141.9 mi in
|
~2h 43m
|
via I 35
Davenport
141.9 mi in
|
~2h 43m
|
via I 35
Des Moines
145.5 mi in
|
~2h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 194.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.9 miles on I 35. 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 39.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Indiana, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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