How far is Marshalltown, IA from Altoona, IA?
The driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Altoona, IA is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Marshalltown and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown and Altoona.
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1
Start on North 3rd Avenue
31 m · 6 sec · North 3rd Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2675 ft · 59 sec · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
2231 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street
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4
Turn right onto West Madison Street
1644 ft · 33 sec · West Madison Street
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5
Turn straight onto West Lincolnway
2.2 mi · 4 min · West Lincolnway
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6
Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard
2.1 mi · 4 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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7
Continue straight
33.8 mi · 40 min
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8
Take the exit slight left
546 ft · 20 sec
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9
Turn left onto Grant Street South
54 m · 8 sec · Grant Street South
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grant Street South
1.3 mi · 2 min · Grant Street South
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11
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
775 ft · 16 sec · Northeast 72nd Street
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12
Continue on 1st Avenue North
3012 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue North
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
29 m · 2 sec · 1st Avenue North
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14
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
1.6 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue North
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Marshalltown and Altoona.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Marshalltown Boulevard
Continue straight
33.8 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown to Altoona?
The road trip is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Rhodes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Marshalltown and 21.3 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.1 miles (64.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 4:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Marshalltown and Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Rhodes
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rhodes.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Marshalltown and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 40.06 mi (64.47 km).
#1 Marshalltown
City in Marshal County, Iowa
| Population | 26,736 |
| Coordinates | 42.0494300, -92.9079800 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altoona
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 19,503 |
| Coordinates | 41.6441600, -93.4646600 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altoona (-93.46466, 41.64416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.66 | $11.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.