How far is Indiana, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Indiana, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.4 miles (242 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Indiana and Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indiana and Carter Lake.
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1
Start on County Highway G76
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76
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2
Continue on County Highway G76
959 ft · 26 sec · County Highway G76
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3
Turn sharp left
6.1 mi · 9 min
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4
Take the ramp left
10.9 mi · 12 min
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5
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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6
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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7
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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11
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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12
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
2.9 mi · 3 min
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15
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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18
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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19
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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20
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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21
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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22
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Indiana and Carter Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Indiana and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Indiana to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km) and usually takes 03h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Indiana and 92.6 miles from Carter Lake.
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 34.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Indiana and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
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 Indiana and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 150.39 mi (242.03 km).
#1 Indiana
A city located in the state of Iowa.
| Population | 820,445 |
| Coordinates | 41.2044400, -93.0252000 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carter Lake (-95.91807, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.