Origin
Elk Run Heights, IA
Evening in Elk Run Heights on Wednesday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
76.6 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elk Run Heights, IA
Aaron Brewer
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Midwest, the 76.8-mile journey from Elk Run Heights to Iowa City is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. You can easily complete this drive as a comfortable day trip, as it requires no overnight stays and minimal planning. Budgeting around $11 for fuel should cover your travel costs, leaving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Because both the origin and destination are located within Iowa, you will remain in a consistent regional landscape throughout the transit. This route serves as a practical connection between these two points, offering a hassle-free experience for travelers who prefer efficiency over long-distance touring.
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
38.3 miles from Elk Run Heights, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind on this 76.8-mile trek. You will navigate a mix of roads, beginning with Evansdale Drive before transitioning through the Avenue of the Saints and eventually connecting to I-80. Since there is no significant highway share, you should stay alert as the road conditions shift frequently between local stretches and larger corridors. Keep in mind that there is no single long-distance stretch on this path, as the longest segment on Evansdale Drive is effectively negligible. Navigating these transitions requires your full attention, as the character of the road changes periodically from the start in Elk Run Heights to your arrival in Iowa City.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Evansdale Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Evansdale Drive | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| I 80 | — | — |
| I 80 East | — | — |
| Downtown | — | — |
| North Dubuque Street | — | — |
| Kimball Road | — | — |
| North Gilbert Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Evansdale Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Run Heights, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Gilbertville Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gilbertville Road
2
Turn right onto Evansdale Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Evansdale Drive
3
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
4
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
5
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 80
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80 East: Davenport
8
Merge slight left
4.2 mi
·
4 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Downtown
10
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
11
Turn left onto Kimball Road
476 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
12
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip of just over an hour, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 76.8-mile distance without needing to build in scheduled stops for rest or refueling, though keeping your $11 fuel budget in mind is a smart move. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than major interstates, check your navigation frequently to stay on track during the turn-heavy portions of the drive. If you are prone to fatigue, even a quick stretch break after exiting Evansdale Drive can keep you refreshed for the remainder of the journey. Planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic will ensure you maintain the estimated 1 hour and 16 minute travel time.
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 38.3 miles from Elk Run Heights, IA, or about 45m into the drive.
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 17 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 45m 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 18m
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 Elk Run Heights, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elk Run Heights, IA
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Elk Run Heights, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.3 mi from Elk Run Heights, IA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.3 miles from Elk Run Heights, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.98 one way
$23.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.15 | $26.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.74 | $29.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.91 | $33.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23 | 0 | $8.04 | $3.68 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Evening in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
24 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
1h 31m 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 Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 76.6 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Evansdale Drive, Avenue of the Saints, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.3 miles from Elk Run Heights, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.98 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 Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Elk Run Heights, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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