Origin
Estherville, IA
Late night in Estherville on Wednesday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Estherville, IA to Iowa City, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
266.1 mi
428 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 20m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 0m
10 AM
5h 43m
12 PM
5h 40m
3 PM
5h 44m
5 PM
5h 59m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Estherville, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 266.1 miles and takes about 5h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 18, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.7 miles on US 18. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
133 miles from Estherville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Estherville, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 266.1 miles and takes about 5h 33m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 9 / East Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 266.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 9 / East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 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
|
IA 9 / East Central Avenue
Turn right onto IA 9 / East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
95.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
6
186.9 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
193.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
258.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Estherville, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Charles City
95.8 mi in
|
~2h 12m
|
via US 18; IA 27
Dubuque
186.9 mi in
|
~4h
|
via I 380
Cedar Falls
186.9 mi in
|
~4h
|
via I 380
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 18 | 81.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 76.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| State Highway 9 | 48.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| I 380 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 169 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| 430th Street | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| 400th Street | 5.7 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estherville, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on IA 4
147 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 9th Street
2
Turn right onto IA 9
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
3
Continue on IA 9
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 9
4
Continue on IA 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
4th Avenue
5
Continue on IA 9
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
430th Street
6
Continue on IA 9
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
4th Avenue West
7
Continue on IA 9
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 9
8
Continue on US 169; IA 9
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 169
9
Continue on IA 9
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue West
11
Continue on IA 9
16 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 9
12
Turn right onto US 69; IA 9
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
170th Avenue
13
Turn left onto CR A38
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
400th Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto CR R74
246 ft
·
3 sec
·
225th Avenue
15
Continue on CR R74
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
230th Avenue
16
Turn left onto IA 9
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 9
17
Continue on IA 9
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
350th Street
18
Continue on IA 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Evergreen Avenue
19
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
360th Street
20
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Street
21
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 9
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
23
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
24
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
25
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
26
Take the exit
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
27
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
28
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
29
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
34
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
36
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
37
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
38
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
39
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
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 133 miles from Estherville, IA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
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 Estherville, 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 Estherville, IA
This is one driving day of about 266.1 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Estherville, 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 18 for about 81.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133 mi from Estherville, IA · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 133 miles from Estherville, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 18 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 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
$41.60 one way
$83.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.68 | $91.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.21 | $102.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.75 | $117.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.94 | $12.77 |
| Efficient EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.4 | 1 | $37.25 | $17.03 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
133 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
27 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
5h 33m 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 Estherville, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 266.1 miles and takes about 5h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 18, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 9. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133 miles from Estherville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.60 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 266.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 9 / East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Estherville, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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