Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
227.1 mi
365 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Villisca, IA covers 227.1 miles and takes about 4h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Kimball Road, North Dubuque Street, I 80 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.49 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
113.5 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 24m drive with frequent turns across 227.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 24m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Iowa City, IA to Villisca, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kimball Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Dubuque Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 650th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 7th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Whitney Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 630th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Villisca, IA.
Start on South Gilbert Street
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Turn left
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
Turn left onto 650th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto Whitney Street
Continue on 630th Street
Turn left onto West High Street
Turn right onto North U Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 113.5 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Villisca, 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 227.1 miles and 4h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.5 mi from Iowa City, IA · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 113.5 miles from Iowa City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Villisca, 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 Villisca, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$34.49 one way
$68.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.03 | $76.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $42.87 | $85.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.45 | $100.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.85 | $10.90 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.87 | $9.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.79 | $14.53 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Villisca on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
44°F
Des Moines, IA
114 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Villisca, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Iowa City, IA or Villisca, IA on MapSof.net.
