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Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
219.5 mi
353 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Denison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
This 219.5-mile drive from Iowa City, IA to Denison, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes. You'll spend about 53% of your time on highways, with a significant 115.9-mile stretch on I 80. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $34. This route offers a mixed drive experience, taking you through the heart of the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip perfect for a weekend excursion or a purposeful journey without needing an overnight stay.
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 Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
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Expect a mixed driving experience on this route, with 53% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 115.9 miles, primarily on I 80, offering a chance to make good time. As you transition off the interstate, you'll encounter roads like George P. Soumas Memorial Highway and Northwest Granger Drive, which will likely present a different, perhaps more local, driving feel. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more varied road conditions.
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 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 31m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto IA 141 / Northwest Urbandale Drive
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Denison, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grimes along the way.
Grimes
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 115.9 mi | 2h 6m |
| George P. Soumas Memorial Highway | 68.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| 270th Street | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Grimes Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Denison, IA.
Start on South Gilbert Street
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn right onto IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Turn right onto US 59; IA 141
Turn slight right onto US 30
Turn left onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour and 31-minute duration, this trip is best suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for a single planned stop, as indicated by the data. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in choosing your break point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 115.9-mile stretch on I 80, as services can be spread out. The $34 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for.
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.
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 109.8 miles or 2h 3m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denison, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 219.5 miles and 4h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.8 mi from Iowa City, IA · 2h 3m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109.8 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 115.9 miles.
The final approach into Denison, 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 Denison, 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.
Regular Gas
$34.32 one way
$68.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.68 | $75.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.24 | $84.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.46 | $96.93 |
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 | $23.05 | $10.54 |
| Efficient EV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.21 | $8.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.73 | $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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Morning in Denison on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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