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Trip from Webster City, IA to Indiana, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 24m

Distance

122 mi

196 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 19m

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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city in Iowa, United States

Webster City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

Indiana, IA

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 122-mile drive from Webster City, IA, to Indiana, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 24 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the journey on major roads, making for efficient travel through the Midwest. You can expect a fuel cost of around $19 for this journey. Given its relatively short length and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward option for a quick relocation or a leisurely excursion without needing an overnight stop. The direct path ensures you spend more time at your destination and less time on the road.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

61 miles from Webster City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 54.7 mi 59m
IA 5 35.4 mi 42m
US 20 11.9 mi 13m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 10.7 mi 12m
I 80 2.6 mi 2m
County Highway G76 2 mi 3m
Superior Street 1.3 mi 2m
Briggs Woods Road 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 54.7 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR D20

60 ft · 5 sec · 2nd Street
2

Turn right onto Superior Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · Superior Street
3

Continue on IA 17

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Briggs Woods Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 20 East
5

Merge onto US 20

12 mi · 13 min · US 20
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
7

Merge onto I 35

54 mi · 59 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

For this 2-hour and 24-minute drive, departing in the morning is a good idea to maximize your day, especially since it's a single-day trip. With only 122 miles and 86% of it on major highways, you won't need to worry about frequent stops for gas; the estimated fuel cost is just $19. The longest stretch without a major turn is 54.7 miles on I-35, so plan your breaks accordingly before or after that segment. Since there are no designated stops in the data, use towns along I-35 or US 20 for any necessary refreshments or stretching.

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 61 miles from Webster City, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 27 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61 miles or 1h 9m 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 55m

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 Webster 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 Webster City, IA

This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Webster 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 54.7 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

61 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ankeny, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61 miles from Webster 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 52min to go 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

2.2 mi

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.2 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 52min in 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.1 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.2 mi

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15152628435

Visit website

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 72.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward US 20 East

Navigation decision point

Toward US 20 East
5
14.5 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
68.9 mi into trip | ~1h 18m 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
69.1 mi into trip | ~1h 18m 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
72.5 mi into trip | ~1h 23m 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

$19.07 one way

$38.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.94 $41.88
premium $4.89 $23.48 $46.96
diesel $5.61 $26.94 $53.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.6 0 $12.81 $5.86
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88
EV Truck/SUV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Webster City, IA

Late night in Webster City on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

29°F

Clear

ENE 8 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:02PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 19 at 7:53PM CDT until April 26 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Indiana, IA

Late night in Indiana on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

31°F

Clear

ENE 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:02PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 19 at 7:53PM CDT until April 26 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

2 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

2h 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 122-mile trip, with 86% of your journey on major roads like I-35 and US 20. This means you'll encounter mostly high-speed travel, punctuated by sections on IA 5. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 54.7 miles on I-35, offering a consistent pace. The road's character remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding, scenic byways. You'll primarily be navigating through the familiar Midwest landscape on well-maintained highways.

86% 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: 54.7 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 1.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 122 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 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 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 Webster City, IA and Indiana, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Des Moines.

Council Bluffs

68.9 mi in | ~1h 18m | via I 35

Davenport

68.9 mi in | ~1h 18m | via I 35

Des Moines

72.5 mi in | ~1h 23m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 122 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.7 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.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 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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