Origin
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Altoona, IA
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
104.3 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Altoona, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Iowa City to Altoona, expect a straightforward journey covering 104.3 miles across the heart of the Midwest. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 58 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your travel costs for this route. Since the drive is entirely within the state of Iowa, you will remain within the same region for the duration of your trip. It is a highly practical connection for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.1 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your time spent on major roads like I-80. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 99.7 miles along I-80 itself. While you begin and end your journey on local roads like 1st Avenue North and North Dubuque Street, the vast majority of your experience behind the wheel will be a consistent interstate grind. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed infrastructure, you should expect a predictable and steady pace throughout the entire 104.3-mile trip. It is a functional, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed over variety.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
985 ft
666 ft
Total Climb
624 ft
Total Descent
336 ft
Highest Point
985 ft
~56.5 mi in
Elevation Range
319 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 1st Avenue North. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Altoona, IA is easy. At 1h 58m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Dubuque Street
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
3
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Bondurant, Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143
Toward Bondurant, Altoona
4
103.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
1st Avenue North
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 99.7 mi | 1h 47m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 72nd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kimball Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 99.7 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Altoona, IA.
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kimball Road
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dubuque Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
100 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 143
Toward Bondurant, Altoona
7
Turn left onto Northeast 72nd Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
8
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
Use the left lane.
9
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
1st Avenue North
10
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
11
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue South
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 1 hour and 58 minute duration, you can easily drive the entire way in one go. Keep in mind that because the route is almost entirely highway-based, your fuel consumption will be most efficient when maintaining consistent speeds on I-80. Given that this is a quick Midwest transit, aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure the smoothest possible transition when entering Altoona. Make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto the 99.7-mile stretch of I-80 to avoid any unnecessary detours.
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 52.1 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.7 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.1 miles or 1h 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa 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 Iowa City, IA
This is one driving day of about 104.3 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 99.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.1 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.1 miles from Iowa City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.7 miles.
Arriving in Altoona, IA
The final approach into Altoona, 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 Altoona, 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
$15.84 one way
$31.68 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.46 | $34.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.69 | $39.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Altoona, IA
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Indiana, IA
52 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
1 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
1h 58m 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 Iowa City, IA to Altoona, IA covers 104.3 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, 1st Avenue North, North Dubuque 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 52.1 miles from Iowa City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.84 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.
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Altoona, IA is easy. At 1h 58m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Iowa City, IA to Altoona, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 666 ft to 985 ft elevation with about 624 ft of total climbing.
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