Origin
Lake City, IA
Late night in Lake City on Thursday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake City, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
199.5 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake City, IA
Tom Fisk
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 199.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this drive between Lake City and Iowa City typically takes about 4 hours and 7 minutes. It is a straightforward journey well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because you will be navigating primarily via local roads like 230th Street, 73rd Street, and 220th Street, expect a more hands-on driving experience than you would find on a major interstate. This trip is ideal for those who prefer a steady, manageable pace through Iowa’s regional landscape.
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
99.8 miles from Lake City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 199.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as only 2% of this route consists of traditional highway travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on local roads, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 77.2 miles on 230th Street. The road’s personality is defined by its rural, technical nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between various local road segments. Since the route relies on 73rd Street and 220th Street to bridge the distance, you should anticipate a rhythm that favors steady, deliberate movement over high-speed cruising. It is a practical path that offers a genuine look at the local Midwest terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 miles.
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 early in the drive near IA 175 / East Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.5 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: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (IA 144 / Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 41.2 miles (US 30 / 220th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 175 / East Main Street
Turn left onto IA 175 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
25.2 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
IA 144 / Indiana Avenue
Turn right onto IA 144 / Indiana Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
41.2 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 30 / 220th Street
Turn left onto US 30 / 220th Street
Navigation decision point
5
175.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
US 218
Take the exit onto US 218 toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
5
191.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lake City, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
175.8 mi in
|
~3h 36m
|
via US 218
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 230th Street | 77.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| 73rd Street | 33.4 mi | 38m |
| 220th Street | 23.9 mi | 30m |
| 360th Street | 21.8 mi | 30m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| U Avenue | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Indiana Avenue | 4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North Center Street
45 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Center Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on IA 175
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
360th Street
4
Continue on IA 4; IA 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Street
5
Continue on IA 4; IA 175
15 mi
·
20 min
·
360th Street
6
Turn right onto IA 144
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Indiana Avenue
7
Continue on IA 144
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
U Avenue
8
Continue on IA 144
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mc Intyre Street
9
Continue on IA 144
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
U Avenue
10
Continue on IA 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
9th Street North
11
Turn left onto US 30
24 mi
·
30 min
·
220th Street
12
Continue on US 30
77 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
230th Street
13
Continue on US 30
33 mi
·
38 min
·
73rd Street
14
Take the exit onto US 218
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
15
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
18
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
20
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
21
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
22
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
23
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 199.5-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. You are limited to just one planned stop, so choose your break wisely to maximize your efficiency over the 4-hour and 7-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate assumes steady driving and minimal detours. Since you are navigating local routes rather than major highways, stay alert for changing road conditions that might affect your travel time. Most importantly, remain flexible with your pace, as the local road navigation requires more focus than a typical highway cruise.
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 99.8 miles from Lake City, IA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.8 miles or 2h 8m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake 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 Lake City, IA
This is one driving day of about 199.5 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Lake 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.8 mi from Lake City, IA · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.8 miles from Lake City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 miles.
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
The final approach into Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.19 one way
$62.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.24 | $68.49 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.39 | $76.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.05 | $88.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.95 | $9.58 |
| Efficient EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.46 | $7.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.93 | $12.77 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Late night in Iowa City on Thursday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 15 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
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
33 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
4h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lake City, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 199.5 miles and takes about 4h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, 73rd Street, 220th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.8 miles from Lake City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.19 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 199.5 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: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (IA 144 / Indiana Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 41.2 miles (US 30 / 220th Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Lake City, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
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