Origin
Denison, IA
Late night in Denison on Wednesday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denison, IA to Iowa City, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
219.6 mi
353 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 219.4 miles across the Iowa landscape, this trip from Denison to Iowa City is a manageable journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 41 minutes. Because the drive is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $33 for fuel, which keeps this excursion quite cost-effective. You will navigate through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning between local roads and established routes like US 30 West. It is a practical route for those looking to traverse the state efficiently while keeping travel time under four hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109.8 miles from Denison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating a mix of 4th Avenue South, US 30 West, and George P, which keeps your focus sharp behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches—with the longest segment on 4th Avenue South being 0 miles—you should prepare for frequent adjustments in your driving pace. This character makes the journey feel more like a series of connected local segments. Be ready for a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you move through the various turns.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 115.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,439 ft
666 ft
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
956 ft
Highest Point
1,439 ft
~31.4 mi in
Elevation Range
772 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 30.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.9 miles (US 30): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 30 toward US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Dunlap, Harlan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Du...
5
8.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Turn left onto IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
100.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Dave...
5
101.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
110.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
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 Denison, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Davenport along the way.
Davenport
100.9 mi in
|
~2h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 115.4 mi | 2h 5m |
| George P. Soumas Memorial Highway | 68.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| US 59 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 30 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Grimes Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 115.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 30
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 30
Toward US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Dunlap, Harlan
4
Continue on US 59; IA 141
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59; IA 141
5
Turn left onto IA 141
14 mi
·
18 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on IA 141
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
West 6th Street
7
Continue on IA 141
34 mi
·
48 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on IA 141
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Railway Street
9
Continue on IA 141
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 141
17 mi
·
23 min
·
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
11
Continue on IA 141
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Northwest Granger Drive
12
Continue on IA 141
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 114th Street
13
Continue on IA 141
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Grimes Boulevard
14
Continue on IA 141
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Grimes Boulevard
15
Continue on IA 141
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on IA 141
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northwest Urbandale Drive
17
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
18
Merge onto I 80; I 35
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 35; I 80
20
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 80; I 35
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
23
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
24
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
25
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
26
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the 3 hour and 41 minute duration, but aiming for an early start helps you avoid any unexpected traffic on local roads. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before finishing the remaining distance. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind, as local refueling options might vary compared to major interstates. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to tailor your pace to your own comfort level. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation tools, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads makes missing a turn more likely than on a standard highway drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 109.8 miles from Denison, IA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.4 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 45m
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 Denison, 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 Denison, IA
This is one driving day of about 219.6 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Denison, 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 I 80 for about 115.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.8 mi from Denison, IA · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 109.8 miles from Denison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.4 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.33 one way
$68.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.70 | $75.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.26 | $84.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.48 | $96.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
| Efficient EV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.22 | $8.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.74 | $14.05 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 15 mph
40% chance
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
35 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
4h 31m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Denison, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 219.6 miles and takes about 4h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, George P. Soumas Memorial Highway, Northwest Granger Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.8 miles from Denison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.9 miles (US 30): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Denison, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Davenport along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 666 ft to 1,439 ft elevation with about 336 ft of total climbing.
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