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Trip from Story 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

1h 49m

Distance

91.2 mi

147 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m

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 Story City, IA, IA

Story City, IA

Kelly

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 91.2-mile drive from Story City, IA, to Indiana, IA, is a straightforward Midwest journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a quick and efficient way to travel between these two Iowa communities. Given its short duration and focus on well-maintained roads, no overnight stops are necessary. You'll spend most of your time on interstates and state highways, offering a consistent driving experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

45.6 miles from Story City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 36.7 mi 40m
IA 5 35.4 mi 42m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 10.7 mi 12m
I 80 2.6 mi 2m
County Highway G76 2 mi 3m
Broad Street 1.2 mi 2m
Pennsylvania Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 36.7 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Pennsylvania Avenue

51 ft · 7 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
2

Turn left onto CR E15

1.2 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I-35 south: Des Moines
4

Merge onto I 35

37 mi · 40 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

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
6

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport
7

Merge onto I 80

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 80
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 141 Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
11

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 21 min · IA 5
12

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

11 mi · 11 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 trip of just over an hour and a half, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to comfortably reach your destination without feeling rushed. With no designated stops, plan for a brief fuel or rest break before you depart or upon arrival. The longest stretch without a break is under 40 miles, so you likely won't need to stop solely for a rest. Keep an eye out for any potential construction on I 35, as this is a busy interstate corridor.

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 45.6 miles from Story City, IA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 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 20 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.6 miles or 53m 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 27m

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 Story City, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Story City, IA

This is one driving day of about 91.2 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Story City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 36.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altoona, IA

46 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

Altoona, IA to Indiana, IA

49.3 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Altoona, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.6 miles from Story City, 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

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.6

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Altoona, Iowa

3 mi

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.6

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.6

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 39.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Olympic Flame Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 39.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152434361

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

HoQ Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $30 to $50 mile 39.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+15152441213

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 13

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

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 1.6 and 42.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
38.1 mi into trip | ~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
38.3 mi into trip | ~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
41.7 mi into trip | ~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
42.3 mi into trip | ~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

$14.26 one way

$28.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.65 $31.31
premium $4.89 $17.55 $35.10
diesel $5.61 $20.14 $40.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.4 0 $9.58 $4.38
Efficient EV 22.8 0 $7.98 $3.65
EV Truck/SUV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Story City, IA

Morning in Story City on Sunday

Local time

9:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Morning in Indiana on Sunday

Local time

9:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Altoona, IA

46 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

1h 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 this trip, with 82% of the route on faster roads. The majority of your travel will be on I 35, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 36.7 miles. You'll also navigate sections of IA 5 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. This profile suggests a predominantly interstate experience, characterized by consistent speeds and efficient travel. The road character is unlikely to vary dramatically, offering a predictable drive from start to finish.

82% 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: 36.7 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and IA 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 35.

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 91.2 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: at 1.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 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.

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

Council Bluffs

38.1 mi in | ~43m | via I 35

Davenport

38.1 mi in | ~43m | via I 35

Des Moines

41.7 mi in | ~48m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 91.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36.7 miles on I 35. 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: at 1.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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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