Trip from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

133.7 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 25m ★

6 AM

2h 35m

8 AM

2h 56m

10 AM

2h 42m

12 PM

2h 40m

3 PM

2h 43m

5 PM

2h 55m

8 PM

2h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA covers 133.7 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Hickman Road, 290th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.4 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.90 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

66.8 miles from Iowa City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 133.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 34m highway drive covering 133.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Hickman Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.4 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 11 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 118.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Hickman Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA is easy. At 2h 34m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3

0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | North Dubuque Street

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

Navigation decision point

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.

8

120.9 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 125 Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel

5

121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | US 6 / Hickman Road

Turn right onto US 6 / Hickman Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

4

133.7 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South

Turn right onto US 169 / Nile Kinnick Drive South

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	118.4 mi	2h 8m
Hickman Road	9.4 mi	13m
290th Street	2.4 mi	2m
North Dubuque Street	1.2 mi	3m
South Gilbert Street	0.8 mi	2m
Greene Street	0.6 mi	1m
Kimball Road	<0.1 mi	<1m
Nile Kinnick Drive South	<0.1 mi	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: I 80 — 118.4 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Adel, 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

118 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Exit 125 Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel Use the slight right lane.

7

Turn right onto US 6

9.4 mi · 13 min · Hickman Road

Use the right lane.

8

Continue on US 6

2.4 mi · 2 min · 290th Street

9

Continue on US 6

0.6 mi · 1 min · Greene Street

10

Turn right onto US 169

16 ft · 0 sec · Nile Kinnick Drive South

11

Arrive at destination

US 169

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 66.8 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.4 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 29 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 66.8 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Adel, 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 133.7 miles and 2h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 118.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.8 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h 16m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, IA

67 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

Belle Plaine, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.8 miles from Iowa City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.4 miles.

Arriving in Adel, IA

The final approach into Adel, 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 Adel, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.5 mi

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13193381808

Visit website

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

St. Burch Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193417700

Visit website

Nodo Downtown

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13193591181

Visit website

The Encounter Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+13195192044

Visit website

Bluebird Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13193511470

Visit website

The Dandy Lion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193586400

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.1

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Power Café

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13193843427

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

Java House Coffee Roasters - First Ave

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+13192482074

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 28.6

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.8

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 114.6

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 114.6

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 9.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.90 one way

$41.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$22.95	$45.90
premium	$4.89	$25.73	$51.46
diesel	$5.61	$29.52	$59.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.1	$14.04	$6.42
Efficient EV	33.4	$11.70	$5.35
EV Truck/SUV	53.5	$18.72	$8.56

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Iowa City, IA

Morning in Iowa City on Saturday

Local time

7:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

36°F

Mostly Cloudy

NW 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Adel, IA

Morning in Adel on Saturday

Local time

7:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Newton, IA

67 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

16 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

2h 34m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Adel, IA covers 133.7 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Hickman Road, 290th 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 66.8 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 $20.90 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA is easy. At 2h 34m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Adel, IA

Nearby Places

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

Kindred Coffee

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

Pullman Bar & Diner

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

St. Burch Tavern

Nodo Downtown

The Encounter Cafe

Bluebird Diner

The Dandy Lion

Kindred Coffee

The Black Angel Restaurant

DAYDRINK

Press Coffee

Hyper Energy Bar

Power Café

Sidekick Coffee & Books

Java House Coffee Roasters - First Ave

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

University Library Cafe

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

Barrel House

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Iowa City, IA

Adel, IA

Same local time

16 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 34m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Iowa City, IA to Adel, IA?

How this page is built

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