Origin
Iowa City, IA
Late night in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Clarinda, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
241.7 mi
389 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 31m
★
6 AM
4h 44m
8 AM
5h 11m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 51m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Clarinda, IA
Elizabeth Celestino
Trip Overview
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Clarinda, IA covers 241.7 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, 630th Street, 650th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 182.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.79 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
120.9 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 44m highway drive covering 241.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and 630th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 182.2 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 182.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 630th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 80.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 44m 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 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
5
184.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
4
191.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street
Turn right onto US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
4
193.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
US 71 / Whitney Street
Turn left onto US 71 / Whitney Street
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 Iowa City, IA to Clarinda, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Audubon along the way.
Audubon
184.7 mi in
|
~3h 24m
|
via US 6
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 182.2 mi | 3h 17m |
| 630th Street | 44.6 mi | 1h |
| 650th Street | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| East 7th Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| Whitney Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| 210 Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 182.2 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Clarinda, IA.
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
22 sec
·
Kimball Road
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dubuque Street
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
120 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 6
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
8
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
650th Street
9
Turn right onto US 6; US 71
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East 7th Street
10
Turn left onto US 71
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Whitney Street
11
Continue on US 71
45 mi
·
1 hr
·
630th Street
12
Turn right onto US 71 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
210 Street
13
Continue on US 71 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
14
Turn right onto North 16th Street
193 ft
·
9 sec
·
North 16th Street
15
Turn left
36 ft
·
2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
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 120.9 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.2 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarinda, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA
This is one driving day of about 241.7 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa City, 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 182.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.9 mi from Iowa City, IA · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 120.9 miles from Iowa City, 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 182.2 miles.
Arriving in Clarinda, IA
The final approach into Clarinda, 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 Clarinda, 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
$37.79 one way
$75.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.49 | $82.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $46.51 | $93.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.36 | $106.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.38 | $11.60 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.15 | $9.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.84 | $15.47 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Clarinda, IA
Late night in Clarinda on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
2 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 44m 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 Iowa City, IA to Clarinda, IA covers 241.7 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, 630th Street, 650th 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 120.9 miles from Iowa City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.79 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 straightforward 4h 44m 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 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Clarinda, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Audubon along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Clarinda, IA
Explore more options from Iowa City, IA or browse trips ending in Clarinda, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Iowa City, IA or Clarinda, IA on MapSof.net.