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Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Indiana, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 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

Save up to 33 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Fort Madison, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Indiana, IA, IA

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 .

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.

Downtown Fairfield, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fairfield, IA

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

Mount Pleasant, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fairfield, IA

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 check

Top up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.8

Hours: 11 am–1:30 pm

+13193858520

Visit website

Green Gourmet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairfield, Iowa

3 mi

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.8

Mt Pleasant, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:30 pm

+13193858520

Visit website

Green Gourmet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.2

Fairfield, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16414722277

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Fort Madison, IA

Morning in Fort Madison on Sunday

Local time

9:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Indiana, IA

Morning in Indiana on Sunday

Local time

9:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Mostly Clear

NW 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

36 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

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on US 34.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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.

About the Cities

Starting in Fort Madison, IA

Full guide →

Fort Madison is a city in Southeast Iowa. It is on the Mississippi River and has a population of about 11,000.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.1 miles on US 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indiana, IA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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