No malaria worries unless you are in the poorest of barrios full of water and filth.
Regarding La Altagracia, if it the province you are talking about, it is on the other side of the island, about 7-8 hours away by car or 45 minutes by airplane.
If it is the little town of Villa Altagracia, then it is about 2+ hours away by car, maybe a fraction less.
HB