How far is Indiana, IA from Altoona, IA?

The driving distance from Indiana, IA to Altoona, IA is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38 miles (61.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.55 mi
01h 02m
Flight
37.97 mi
61.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Indiana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.97 mi
Kilometers
61.1 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.55 mi
Kilometers
78.13 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Altoona
Sun, Apr 12, 1:38 PM CDT
Return by in Indiana
Sun, Apr 12, 2:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Indiana
2026-04-12T12:36
Arrive Altoona
Sun, Apr 12, 1:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Indiana
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Swan
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Indiana
24.2 mi
00h 31m
To Altoona
24.3 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 21 mph SSW
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 22 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Indiana and Altoona.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Indiana and Altoona.

  1. 1

    Start on County Highway G76

    1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway G76

  2. 2

    Continue on County Highway G76

    959 ft · 26 sec · County Highway G76

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left

    6.1 mi · 9 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    10.9 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Turn right

    575 ft · 7 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 5

    18.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 5

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    2879 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 163, East University Avenue: Pleasant Hill

    2051 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East University Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left

    799 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Northeast 70th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Northeast 70th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Northeast 72nd Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Northeast 72nd Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 1st Avenue South

    1 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue South

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Indiana and Altoona.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 5
18.8 mi · 39%
County Highway G76
13 mi · 27%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
5.72 mi · 12%
East University Avenue
1.36 mi · 3%
Northeast 72nd Street
1.12 mi · 2%
Northeast 70th Street
1.06 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 5

Continue on State Highway 5

18.2 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
38 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Swan
00h 31m from Indiana
Leave By
4:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Indiana and Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Indiana to Altoona?

The road trip is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km) and usually takes 01h 02m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Swan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Indiana and 24.3 miles from Altoona.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 38 miles (61.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.45 one way or $12.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Indiana and Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.

Stop Ideas Near Swan

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Swan, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Swan.

RAIL

Osceola

61 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

90 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

99 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Indiana and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 37.97 mi (61.1 km).

Indiana

#1 Indiana

A city located in the state of Iowa.

Population820,445
Coordinates41.2044400, -93.0252000
Altitude281
CountryUnited States
Altoona

#2 Altoona

City in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Population19,503
Coordinates41.6441600, -93.4646600
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: Indiana (-93.0252, 41.20444)
End: Altoona (-93.46466, 41.64416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.48 L · about $6.45
Round trip
$12.90
3.42 gal · 12.96 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.45 $12.90
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.27 $14.55
Premium $4.65 $7.96 $15.92
Diesel $5.30 $9.07 $18.14

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

There is no time difference between Indiana and Altoona. The current time is 12:36:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.