Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
153.1 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Stuart, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Stuart, IA covers 153.1 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, North Dubuque Street, South Gilbert Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 149.7 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.94 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
76.5 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 153.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 153.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and North Dubuque Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 149.7 miles on I 80.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and North Dubuque Street. 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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Stuart, IA is easy. At 2h 51m with 98% 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 2.1 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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR P28: Stuart, Panora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 149.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Division Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Kimball Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Stuart, IA.
Start on South Gilbert Street
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR P28
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 27m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stuart, 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 153.1 miles and 2h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.5 mi from Iowa City, IA · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.5 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 149.7 miles.
The final approach into Stuart, 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 Stuart, 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
$23.94 one way
$47.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.28 | $52.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.46 | $58.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.80 | $67.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.08 | $7.35 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Iowa City on Friday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Stuart on Friday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
72°F
Newton, IA
77 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
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.
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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