Origin
Iowa City, IA
Morning in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Eagle Grove, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
177.3 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Eagle Grove, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Eagle Grove, IA covers 177.3 miles and takes about 3h 32m 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, Stagecoach Road, State Highway 17 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 154 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.72 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
88.6 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 177.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 32m drive with frequent turns across 177.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 154 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,173 ft
666 ft
Total Climb
560 ft
Total Descent
111 ft
Highest Point
1,173 ft
~152 mi in
Elevation Range
506 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.3 miles you will encounter 12 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
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
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
6.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
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
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
4
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
161.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward IA 17 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 17 North
4
163.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR D20; IA 17; CR D20 / 220th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 154 mi | 2h 54m |
| Stagecoach Road | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 17 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| I 80 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| South Commercial Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| 220th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 154 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Eagle Grove, 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
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
8
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
71 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
83 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward IA 17 North
11
Turn right onto IA 17
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Stagecoach Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR D20; IA 17; CR D20
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
220th Street
13
Turn right onto IA 17
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Stagecoach Road
14
Continue on IA 17
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 17
15
Continue on South Commercial Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commercial Avenue
16
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Broadway Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Broadway Street
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 88.6 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eagle Grove, 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 177.3 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 154 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.6 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.6 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 154 miles.
Arriving in Eagle Grove, IA
The final approach into Eagle Grove, 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 Eagle Grove, 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
$27.72 one way
$55.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.43 | $60.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.12 | $68.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.15 | $78.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.62 | $8.51 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.51 | $7.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.35 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Eagle Grove, IA
Morning in Eagle Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
89 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
2 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
3h 32m 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 Eagle Grove, IA covers 177.3 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Stagecoach Road, State Highway 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.6 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 $27.72 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
The route from Iowa City, IA to Eagle Grove, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 666 ft to 1,173 ft elevation with about 560 ft of total climbing.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Eagle Grove, IA
More trips to Eagle Grove, IA
Explore more options from Iowa City, IA or browse trips ending in Eagle Grove, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.