Origin
Fort Madison, IA
Morning in Fort Madison on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Indiana, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
132.4 mi
213 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Madison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Indiana, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 129.5-mile journey from Fort Madison to Indiana, IA, is a manageable 2-hour and 13-minute drive, perfect for a single day trip. With no highway travel, expect a more local driving experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and lack of extensive highway time, this route is best suited for a leisurely day out, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a straightforward drive within the same region, offering a simple way to connect two Iowa towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.2 miles from Fort Madison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 132.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The character of this 129.5-mile drive is decidedly local, with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and rural roads for the entire duration. Expect a 'turn-heavy' profile, so keep your attention on navigation as you transition between Avenue I, Avenue H, and 20th Street. There isn't a defined 'longest stretch' to note since the route is composed of numerous smaller segments. This kind of drive often involves frequent adjustments in speed and direction, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape rather than extended periods of high-speed travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 50m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 61 Business / 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.2 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Avenue I
Turn right onto Avenue I
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 61 Business / 20th Street
Turn left onto US 61 Business / 20th Street
Navigation decision point
5
38.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 45
5
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
CR G71 / 2nd Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR G71 / 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
CR G71 / West Street
At end of road, turn right onto CR G71 / West Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 34 | 61.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 24.5 mi | 28m |
| 310th Street | 12 mi | 21m |
| US 63 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| IA 2 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| County Road G71 | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| IA 5 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Avenue O | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 34
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Indiana, IA.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Avenue I
139 ft
·
11 sec
·
Avenue I
3
Turn left onto US 61 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue H
4
Turn left onto US 61 Business
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
20th Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue L
6
Continue on US 61 Business
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Highway 61
7
Continue on US 61 Business
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue O
8
Turn straight onto IA 2
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 2
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
10
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 34; IA 163
Exit 45
12
Continue on US 63; IA 163
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 63; IA 163
13
Turn left onto CR G71
12 mi
·
21 min
·
310th Street
14
Continue on CR G71
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
County Highway G71
15
Continue on CR G71
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
5th Street
16
Turn right onto Merrill Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Merrill Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto CR G71
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
2nd Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto CR G71
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Street
19
Continue on CR G71
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road G71
20
At end of road, turn right onto IA 5
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
IA 5
21
Turn left onto CR G76
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
County Highway G76
22
Continue on CR G76
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway G76
23
Arrive at destination
CR G76
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 13-minute drive, starting in the morning offers the most flexibility to enjoy the local roads without feeling rushed. Since there are no designated long stretches without services, you can easily find places for breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between local roads like Avenue I and Avenue H; while the total fuel cost is estimated at $20, it's always wise to top off before you leave Fort Madison. The 'turn-heavy' nature means being prepared for frequent changes in direction, so having your GPS or map readily accessible is key to a smooth trip to Indiana, IA.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 29 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
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 Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA
This is one driving day of about 132.4 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Fort Madison, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 34 for about 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.2 mi from Fort Madison, IA · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.2 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.
Arriving in Indiana, IA
The final approach into Indiana, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Indiana, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.70 one way
$41.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.73 | $45.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.48 | $50.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.23 | $58.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.54 | $8.47 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Indiana, IA
Morning in Indiana on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Fairfield, IA
66 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Indiana, IA covers 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 34, Avenue of the Saints, 310th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.2 miles from Fort Madison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 50m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 61 Business / 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.2 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Fort Madison, IA to Indiana, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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