Fort Madison, IA Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Fort Madison, IA is a local road trip base with 15 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 87-mile quick runs to 309-mile cross-state drives. Routes from Fort Madison, IA spread mainly north and west, covering a wide geographic range.

city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

15

Longest Drive

309.3 mi

Council Bluffs, IA

Quickest Drive

1h 49m

Iowa City, IA

Plan Around Fort Madison, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Fort Madison, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA 174.8 mi · 3h 32m

Continue From Fort Madison, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Fort Madison, IA to Council Bluffs, IA 309.3 mi · 4h 51m Fort Madison, IA to Ames, IA 205.1 mi · 4h 4m Fort Madison, IA to Urbandale, IA 185.2 mi · 3h 41m Fort Madison, IA to Ankeny, IA 183.2 mi · 3h 40m

Trips from Fort Madison, IA

Fort Madison, IA to Council Bluffs, IA

309.3 mi 4h 51m

Fort Madison, IA to Ames, IA

205.1 mi 4h 4m

Fort Madison, IA to Urbandale, IA

185.2 mi 3h 41m

Fort Madison, IA to Ankeny, IA

183.2 mi 3h 40m

Fort Madison, IA to West Des Moines, IA

181.4 mi 3h 37m

Fort Madison, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

173.4 mi 2h 46m

Fort Madison, IA to Marshalltown, IA

172.3 mi 2h 52m

Fort Madison, IA to Dubuque, IA

168.6 mi 3h 22m

Fort Madison, IA to Indiana, IA

132.4 mi 2h 50m

Fort Madison, IA to Marion, IA

117 mi 2h 23m

Fort Madison, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

113.8 mi 2h 17m

Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA

99.3 mi 2h 4m

Fort Madison, IA to Davenport, IA

96.2 mi 1h 58m

Fort Madison, IA to Iowa City, IA

86.8 mi 1h 49m

Driving from Fort Madison, IA

Expect an average of 159 miles and about 3h 1m behind the wheel when leaving Fort Madison, IA. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 309 miles (4h 51m), while the shortest is just 87 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Fort Madison, IA most often head toward Council Bluffs, IA (309.3 mi, 4h 51m), Ames, IA (205.1 mi, 4h 4m), Urbandale, IA (185.2 mi, 3h 41m), Ankeny, IA (183.2 mi, 3h 40m), and West Des Moines, IA (181.4 mi, 3h 37m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 159-mile trip from Fort Madison, IA, budget about $24 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 14 mapped routes leaving Fort Madison, IA and 1 routes heading into Fort Madison, IA, covering 15 total connections. Distances range from 87 to 309 miles.

The longest mapped route from Fort Madison, IA covers 309 miles and takes approximately 4h 51m. Shorter options start at just 87 miles.

The average route from Fort Madison, IA runs about 159 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 1m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 159-mile trip from Fort Madison, IA costs roughly $24 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Fort Madison, IA include Council Bluffs, IA, Ames, IA, Urbandale, IA and Ankeny, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Fort Madison, IA by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

10,221

Median Income

$49,359

Median Home Value

$95,900

Median Age

43.9

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Fort Madison, IA.

No routes in this time range.

destinations from Fort Madison, IA.

Trips to Fort Madison, IA

Des Moines, IA to Fort Madison, IA

174.8 mi 3h 32m

Nearby Hubs

Other cities within driving distance of Fort Madison, IA that also have route pages.

Iowa City, IA 86.8 mi · 1h 49m Davenport, IA 96.2 mi · 1h 58m Bettendorf, IA 99.3 mi · 2h 4m Cedar Rapids, IA 113.8 mi · 2h 17m Marion, IA 117 mi · 2h 23m Indiana, IA 132.4 mi · 2h 50m Dubuque, IA 168.6 mi · 3h 22m Marshalltown, IA 172.3 mi · 2h 52m

Escape Planner

Where to go from Fort Madison, IA?

Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.

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