How far is Carter Lake, IA from Indiana, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Indiana, IA is about 184.1 miles (296.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.4 miles (242 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Indiana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Indiana.
-
1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
-
2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
-
3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
-
4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 38 sec · Izard Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 34 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
1483 ft · 36 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 6 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
11
Continue straight
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
1510 ft · 19 sec
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City
2130 ft · 52 sec · Ramp 72 H
-
14
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
-
16
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
-
18
Turn left
10.6 mi · 12 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right
2592 ft · 1 min
-
20
Turn right
5.8 mi · 9 min
-
21
Turn sharp right onto County Highway G76
959 ft · 24 sec · County Highway G76
-
22
Continue on County Highway G76
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Highway G76
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake and Indiana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Continue straight
118 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake and Sunny near Indiana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carter Lake to Indiana?
The road trip is about 184.1 miles (296.2 km) and usually takes 03h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Carter Lake and 92.1 miles from Indiana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.4 miles (242 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.51 one way or $49.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Indiana.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Menlo.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carter Lake and Indiana. Straight-line distance: 150.39 mi (242.03 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Indiana
A city located in the state of Iowa.
| Population | 820,445 |
| Coordinates | 41.2044400, -93.0252000 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
End: County Highway G76 (-93.02522, 41.204476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.