This 141-mile drive from Centerville, IA to Iowa City, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes. With 53% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a mixed drive that balances efficiency with local road exploration. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $22, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate US 34 and the Avenue of the Saints, with a brief stint on State Highway 2. This trip offers a straightforward way to connect two points within Iowa, providing a practical and time-efficient travel option.
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
70.5 miles from Centerville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 141 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with a little over half of the 141 miles utilizing highway speeds. You'll encounter stretches like the 48.9-mile segment on US 34, which offers a consistent pace. The overall profile suggests a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local, slower-paced sections as you transition between main roads. This means you can expect shifts in scenery and driving rhythm throughout the 2-hour and 55-minute journey, rather than a monotonous interstate experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 48.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Jackson Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 55m drive. You will face about 12 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 (East Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (US 63 / Smith Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Jackson Street
Turn right onto East Jackson Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
25.2 mi into trip|~36m in|US 63 / Smith Street
Turn left onto US 63 / Smith Street
Navigation decision point
5
43.6 mi into trip|~57m in|US 34
Enter roundabout onto US 34
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
45.7 mi into trip|~1h in|US 34
Take the exit onto US 34
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 34
48.9 mi
56m
Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi
49m
State Highway 2
24.1 mi
34m
Weaver Road
17.4 mi
19m
Old US Highway 218
1.1 mi
1m
South Gilbert Street
1.1 mi
2m
Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
0.9 mi
1m
East Maple Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 34
— 48.9 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerville, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North 13th Street
164 ft·9 sec·North 13th Street
2
Turn right onto East Jackson Street
358 ft·16 sec·East Jackson Street
3
Continue on West Jackson Street
288 ft·21 sec·West Jackson Street
4
Turn right onto North Main Street
395 ft·22 sec·North Main Street
5
Turn left onto IA 2
0.8 mi·1 min·East Maple Street
6
Continue on IA 2
24 mi·34 min·State Highway 2
7
Turn left onto US 63
0.2 mi·15 sec·Smith Street
8
Continue on US 63
0.8 mi·57 sec·South Washington Street
9
Continue on US 63
17 mi·19 min·Weaver Road
10
Enter roundabout onto US 34
44 ft·0 sec·US 34
11
Continue on US 34
2.1 mi·2 min·US 34
12
Take the exit onto US 34
47 mi·54 min·US 34
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 234
14
Turn left onto US 218 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·Old US Highway 218
15
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
43 mi·49 min·Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Airport
17
Continue on Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
0.9 mi·1 min·Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
18
Continue on Old Highway 218 South
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Highway 218 South
19
Continue on South Riverside Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·South Riverside Drive
20
Turn right onto US 6
0.4 mi·1 min·Highway 6 East
21
Turn left onto South Gilbert Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South Gilbert Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the comfortable 2-hour and 55-minute duration, this 141-mile trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop, you can easily break up the drive as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of 48.9 miles on US 34. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22. Planning to leave in the morning will give you ample time to reach Iowa City with daylight to spare, and the mixed highway and local road nature means you'll want to be aware of changing speed limits 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 70.5 miles from Centerville, IA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.9 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.5 miles or 1h 28m 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 21m
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 Centerville, 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 Centerville, IA
This is one driving day of about 141 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Centerville, 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 48.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.5 mi from Centerville, IA
· 1h 28m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.04 one way
$44.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.20
$48.41
premium
$4.89
$27.13
$54.27
diesel
$5.61
$31.13
$62.26
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: 49.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.3
0
$14.80
$6.77
Efficient EV
35.3
0
$12.34
$5.64
EV Truck/SUV
56.4
0
$19.74
$9.02
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 15, 2026
Origin
Centerville, IA
Morning
in Centerville on Saturday
Local time
9:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
9:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Fairfield, 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
1 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 55m 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 Centerville, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 141 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 34, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 2. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.5 miles from Centerville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.04 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 is a straightforward 2h 55m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (US 63 / Smith Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Centerville, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
