Origin
Boone, IA
Morning in Boone on Wednesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boone, IA to Iowa City, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 49m
Distance
141.3 mi
227 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boone, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 141.3-mile journey from Boone to Iowa City is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 2 hours and 49 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via 230th Street and Avenue of the Saints, with a significant portion of the drive on local roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $22 and only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward experience within the Midwest. The drive's character is more turn-heavy and local, suggesting a less hurried pace than a pure interstate trip. Consider this a practical option for a single-day excursion between these two Iowa destinations.
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
70.6 miles from Boone, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight highway. Only 3% of this route is on highways, so much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.2 miles on 230th Street, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This character suggests a route that requires more active navigation and a slower pace than a typical interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Story Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Story Street): Navigation decision point; at 117.5 miles (US 218): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Story Street
Turn right onto Story Street
Navigation decision point
5
117.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
US 218
Take the exit onto US 218 toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
4
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 80
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80
5
133.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
4
139.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Boone, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
117.5 mi in
|
~2h 17m
|
via US 218
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 230th Street | 77.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| 73rd Street | 33.4 mi | 38m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| 220th Street | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Story Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boone, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
67 ft
·
5 sec
·
Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
2
Turn right onto Story Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Story Street
3
Turn left onto US 30
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
220th Street
4
Continue on US 30
77 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
230th Street
5
Continue on US 30
33 mi
·
38 min
·
73rd Street
6
Take the exit onto US 218
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
7
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
10
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
12
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
13
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
14
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
15
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this route from Boone to Iowa City is easily accomplished in a single day. Departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Since there's only one recommended stop and the fuel cost is estimated at $22, you can plan your expenses efficiently. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means paying attention to road signs and turns is key. The longest stretch on 230th Street is a good opportunity to settle in, but be prepared for more frequent changes as you progress.
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 70.6 miles from Boone, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boone, 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 Boone, IA
This is one driving day of about 141.3 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boone, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.6 mi from Boone, IA · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.6 miles from Boone, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 miles.
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
The final approach into Iowa City, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Iowa City, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.09 one way
$44.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.25 | $48.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.20 | $62.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.36 | $5.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
71 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
31 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Boone, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 141.3 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, 73rd Street, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.6 miles from Boone, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Story Street): Navigation decision point; at 117.5 miles (US 218): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Boone, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
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