Origin
Clinton, IA
Afternoon in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
87.1 mi
140 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clinton to Iowa City is a straightforward 87.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 61, Lincoln Way, and North Dodge Street as you move through the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this an economical excursion for solo travelers or small groups. Since both cities are located within Iowa, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a practical, no-fuss connection between these two Midwestern hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Clinton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 72% of your travel occurs on high-speed roads. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 62.9-mile stretch on US 61, which serves as the backbone of this route and allows for steady, consistent progress. While the drive begins with open highway transit, the character shifts slightly as you transition onto local arteries like Lincoln Way and North Dodge Street to reach your destination. You won't face complex navigation challenges, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a predictable, streamlined drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 62.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and Lincoln Way. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near US 30 / Lincoln Way.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 46m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.3 miles (IA 1 / North Dodge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 30 / Lincoln Way
Turn right onto US 30 / Lincoln Way
Navigation decision point
4
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
4
84.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
IA 1 / North Dodge Street
Turn left onto IA 1 / North Dodge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
86.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
4
86.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
North Gilbert Street
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 62.9 mi | 1h 10m |
| Lincoln Way | 17.2 mi | 21m |
| North Dodge Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Manufacturing Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Bluff Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Gilbert Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 62.9 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Avenue South
2
Turn left onto South Bluff Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Bluff Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto Manufacturing Drive
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Manufacturing Drive
4
Turn right onto US 30
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Lincoln Way
5
Merge onto US 61
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 61
6
Take the exit onto US 61
49 mi
·
53 min
·
US 61
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
8
Turn left onto IA 1
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Dodge Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
10
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Gilbert Street
11
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the main highways. You likely won't need to plan for formal stops given the sub-two-hour duration, allowing you to complete the drive in one smooth push. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before leaving Clinton, as the $13 estimate assumes a standard vehicle efficiency and provides a good baseline for your budget. Because the longest stretch on US 61 spans nearly 63 miles, ensure your vehicle is road-ready before embarking to maintain a steady pace. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity means you can focus on arriving in Iowa City feeling refreshed and ready for your next activity.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.6 miles from Clinton, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.9 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, IA
This is one driving day of about 87.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 61 for about 62.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.6 mi from Clinton, IA · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 43.6 miles from Clinton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 61 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.9 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
$13.23 one way
$26.46 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.58 | $29.17 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.44 | $32.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.15 | $4.18 |
| Efficient EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.62 | $3.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.19 | $5.57 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 46m 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 Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 87.1 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61, Lincoln Way, North Dodge Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.6 miles from Clinton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.23 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.
The drive from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 46m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.3 miles (IA 1 / North Dodge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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