Origin
Fairfield, IA
Morning in Fairfield on Wednesday
Local time
6:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, IA to Iowa City, IA
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
71.2 mi
115 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, IA
Daniel Dorfer
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling between Fairfield and Iowa City is a straightforward 71.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable regional connection within the Midwest. Navigating through local roads like East Burlington Avenue and US 34 before connecting to the Avenue of the Saints provides a clear path between these two Iowa hubs. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of the route ensures you spend less time behind the wheel and more time at your destination.
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
35.6 miles from Fairfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition through different road types on this 71.2-mile trek. With a highway share of 31%, the route balances local navigation with faster transit stretches. The most significant portion of your time on the road will be spent on the Avenue of the Saints, which features a 42.6-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. You will notice the drive’s personality shift from the surface streets of Fairfield to the more consistent pace of the regional highway. Staying alert is key during this transition, as the road character changes from slower-paced local avenues to higher-speed highway travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 42.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
775 ft
698 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
77 ft
Highest Point
775 ft
~5.1 mi in
Elevation Range
77 ft
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 around 0.1 miles in near North B Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 29m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North B Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 34 Business / East Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North B Street
Turn right onto North B Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 34 Business / East Burlington Avenue
Turn left onto US 34 Business / East Burlington Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 34 Business
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
4
22.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 234
4
23.2 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 218 Business / Old US Highway 218
Turn left onto US 218 Business / Old US Highway 218
Navigation decision point
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 Fairfield, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
66.9 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.6 mi | 49m |
| US 34 | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| East Burlington Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Old US Highway 218 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Gilbert Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Riverside Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Old Highway 218 South | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 42.6 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
415 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Briggs Avenue
2
Turn right onto North B Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North B Street
3
Turn left onto US 34 Business
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Burlington Avenue
4
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 34; IA 163
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 234
7
Turn left onto US 218 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Old US Highway 218
8
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
43 mi
·
49 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Airport
10
Continue on Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
11
Continue on Old Highway 218 South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Highway 218 South
12
Continue on South Riverside Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Riverside Drive
13
Turn right onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 6 East
14
Turn left onto South Gilbert Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
15
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 29-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning complex rest stops along the way, as the route is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep in mind that with $11 in fuel costs, it is wise to fill up before you leave to avoid mid-trip stops. If you want to avoid peak traffic, plan your departure to bypass the busier times of day, though the lack of mandatory stops gives you significant leeway. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your transition onto the Avenue of the Saints early, as it is the most efficient way to cover the bulk of your mileage.
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 35.6 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 71.2 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 44m 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 13m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 71.2 miles and 1h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairfield, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 42.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.6 mi from Fairfield, IA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 71.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.6 miles from Fairfield, 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.
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
$11.13 one way
$22.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.22 | $24.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.70 | $27.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.72 | $31.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.23 | $2.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.97 | $4.56 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Morning in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
6:44 AM
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
23 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 29m 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 Fairfield, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 71.2 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, US 34, East Burlington Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.6 miles from Fairfield, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.13 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 29m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North B Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 34 Business / East Burlington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 698 ft to 775 ft elevation with about 0 ft of total climbing.
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