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Trip from Slater, 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

1h 31m

Distance

73.6 mi

119 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m

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 Slater, IA, IA

Slater, IA

Arturo Añez.

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

Slater, IA to Indiana, IA is 73.6 miles and takes about 1h 31m via IA 5 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a straightforward journey. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to cover ground without significant time commitment. You'll find yourself on mostly highway, so expect a quick transit between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.8 miles from Slater, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IA 5 35.4 mi 42m
I 35 15 mi 16m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 10.7 mi 12m
State Highway 210 4.4 mi 6m
I 80 2.6 mi 2m
County Highway G76 2 mi 3m
330th Street 0.8 mi 1m
East 6th Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: IA 5 — 35.4 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Linn Street

32 ft · 2 sec · South Linn Street
2

Turn right onto IA 210

0.3 mi · 22 sec · East 6th Avenue
3

Continue on IA 210

0.8 mi · 1 min · 330th Street
4

Continue on IA 210

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 210
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I-35 south: Des Moines
6

Merge onto I 35

15 mi · 16 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport
9

Merge onto I 80

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 80
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
13

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 21 min · IA 5
14

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 min · IA 5; IA 92
15

Take the exit onto IA 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 5
16

Turn right onto IA 5

5.8 mi · 8 min · IA 5
17

Turn sharp right onto CR G76

0.2 mi · 24 sec · County Highway G76
18

Continue on CR G76

1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
19

Arrive at destination

CR G76

Trip Plan

With a drive time of just over an hour and a half, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility for when you depart. You might consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic, though this route is unlikely to be heavily congested. Since the drive is short, you probably won't need many stops, but it's always wise to top off your fuel tank before you leave Slater, IA, as the fuel cost is estimated at just $12, indicating a relatively inexpensive trip. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I 35, as this is a key point in your journey.

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 36.8 miles from Slater, IA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 16 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 36.8 miles or 46m 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 15m

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 Slater, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Slater, IA

This is one driving day of about 73.6 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Slater, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IA 5 for about 35.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Des Moines, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Moines, IA

37 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.

Popular next leg

Des Moines, IA to Indiana, IA

48.2 mi · 1h 5m

Pacing Suggestions

Ankeny, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Moines, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.8 miles from Slater, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Altoona, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.3

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

2.8 mi

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.3

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.6

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 21

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 21

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $30 to $50 mile 21

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 5.3

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 24.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 210 / East 6th Avenue

Turn right onto IA 210 / East 6th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
5.7 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
20.6 mi into trip | ~25m 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
20.8 mi into trip | ~25m 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
24.2 mi into trip | ~30m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.51 one way

$23.01 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.63 $25.27
premium $4.89 $14.16 $28.33
diesel $5.61 $16.25 $32.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.1 0 $7.73 $3.53
Efficient EV 18.4 0 $6.44 $2.94
EV Truck/SUV 29.4 0 $10.30 $4.71

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Slater, IA

Late night in Slater on Sunday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Late night in Indiana on Sunday

Local time

2:32 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

19 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

1h 31m 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?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey on major roadways like IA 5 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway (I 35). You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.4 miles on IA 5, providing a consistent pace. The character of the drive is defined by its efficiency, allowing you to maintain highway speeds for most of the trip. Expect a straightforward driving experience without many diversions from the main thoroughfares.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on IA 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 5 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 210 / East 6th Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (IA 210 / East 6th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Slater, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.

Council Bluffs

20.6 mi in | ~25m | via I 35

Davenport

20.6 mi in | ~25m | via I 35

Des Moines

24.2 mi in | ~30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 73.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on IA 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 210 / East 6th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indiana, IA before heading back.

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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