Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 6m
Distance
305.6 mi
492 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Alton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Alton, IA covers 305.6 miles and takes about 6h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, Highway 20, State Highway 140 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 231 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.78 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
152.8 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 6m drive with frequent turns across 305.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 305.6 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.3 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto L21 / Lee Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10 / 460th Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 231 mi | 4h 23m |
| Highway 20 | 19 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 140 | 15.1 mi | 20m |
| County Road L14 | 7 mi | 9m |
| 160th Street | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Lee Avenue | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Kiwi Avenue | 5 mi | 6m |
| I 80 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Alton, 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
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Turn right onto L21
Continue on Shamrock Avenue
Turn left onto C66
Turn right onto IA 140
Continue on L14
Continue on L14
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10
Continue on IA 10
Turn left onto East Division Street
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto West 10th Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 67 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.8 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, 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 305.6 miles and 6h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 152.8 mi from Iowa City, IA · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 152.8 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 Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 231 miles.
The final approach into Alton, 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 Alton, 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
$47.78 one way
$95.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.46 | $104.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $58.81 | $117.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.47 | $134.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.09 | $14.67 |
| Efficient EV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.74 | $12.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.2 | 1 | $42.78 | $19.56 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Evening in Alton on Wednesday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
68°F
Waterloo, IA
153 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
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Iowa City, IA or browse trips ending in Alton, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Iowa City, IA or Alton, IA on MapSof.net.
