Origin
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA
Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
96.7 mi
156 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Pella, IA
Aleksei Pribõlovski
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick Midwestern getaway, the drive from Iowa City to Pella is an ideal day trip. Spanning 96.7 miles, this journey typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes, making it highly manageable for a single day of travel. You can expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel, keeping your travel costs low. The route relies primarily on I-80, Highway T14 South, and Highway T22 South to bridge the gap between these two Iowa hubs. Because the total duration is under two hours, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward, practical route that serves as a perfect escape from the city without requiring extensive logistical planning.
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
48.3 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 73% of your travel spent on high-speed roads. You will settle in for a 70.1-mile stretch on I-80, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. Once you exit the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto local highways like T14 and T22. Expect a blend of fast-paced interstate cruising followed by a more localized experience as you head toward your destination. The driving feel is consistent and efficient, allowing you to cover the bulk of the 96.7-mile distance with minimal navigation stress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 70.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway T14 South. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 80.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA is easy. At 1h 57m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles (IA 224 / County Highway T22): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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 none lane.
5
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward IA 224: Kellogg, Sully
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 224: Kellogg, Sully
4
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
IA 224 / County Highway T22
Turn left onto IA 224 / County Highway T22
Navigation decision point
4
83.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
CR T14 / Highway T14 South
At end of road, turn left onto CR T14 / Highway T14 South
Navigation decision point
4
96.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
Washington Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Sully along the way.
Sully
72.6 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 70.1 mi | 1h 15m |
| Highway T14 South | 11.5 mi | 15m |
| Highway T22 South | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| Highway F62 East | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| County Highway T22 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 70.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Pella, 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
70 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward IA 224: Kellogg, Sully
7
Turn left onto IA 224
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
County Highway T22
8
Continue on Highway T22 South
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway T22 South
9
Continue on CR T22
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway T22 South
10
Turn right onto CR F62
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway F62 East
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR T14
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Highway T14 South
12
Continue on CR T14
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
13
Turn left onto Washington Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Washington Street
14
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aiming for a mid-morning start allows you to complete the nearly two-hour journey comfortably before the lunch hour. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled along this 96.7-mile path, you can easily tackle the entire distance in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is based on a modest $15 estimate, so filling up before you leave Iowa City ensures you won't need to worry about finding a pump mid-route. As a specific tip, prioritize your timing around the 70.1-mile interstate stretch, as this portion is where you will spend the majority of your time and potential traffic congestion could occur.
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 48.3 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.1 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.3 miles or 56m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pella, 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 96.7 miles and 1h 57m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 70.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.3 mi from Iowa City, IA · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 48.3 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 70.1 miles.
Arriving in Pella, IA
The final approach into Pella, 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 Pella, 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
$14.69 one way
$29.38 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.19 | $32.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.25 | $36.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.48 | $42.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.15 | $4.64 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.54 | $6.19 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Pella, IA
Afternoon in Pella on Sunday
Local time
2:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Indiana, IA
48 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m 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 Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA covers 96.7 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Highway T14 South, Highway T22 South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.3 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 $14.69 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 Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA is easy. At 1h 57m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73 miles (IA 224 / County Highway T22): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Iowa City, IA to Pella, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Sully along the way.
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