Origin
Monroe, IA
Night in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
93.2 mi
150 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monroe, IA
César O'neill
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Monroe to Iowa City covers 93.2 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes. This straightforward trip is perfect for a single-day excursion, as it doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $14 on fuel for the journey. Navigating via Highway 14 and local streets like North Dubuque Street, you will remain within the Midwest region throughout the entire drive. Because the route is relatively short, it offers a manageable pace for drivers looking to move between these two Iowa towns efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Monroe, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the duration of your 93.2-mile trek. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches on Highway 14, so be prepared for frequent adjustments and constant attention to the road. The journey maintains a consistent local feel from start to finish, requiring you to stay alert through downtown areas and city streets. It is a practical drive that favors local navigation over high-speed highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 14 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 14 | — | — |
| Downtown | — | — |
| North Dubuque Street | — | — |
| Kimball Road | — | — |
| North Gilbert Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 14
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North Monroe Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Monroe Street
2
Continue on State Highway 14
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 14
3
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge slight left
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Downtown
6
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
7
Turn left onto Kimball Road
476 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
8
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 31-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to worry about planning long rest stops, as the total duration is quite short. However, because the route is entirely comprised of local roads, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out to ensure your $14 estimate covers your needs without any mid-trip stress. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to account for extra time when navigating through downtown areas, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can slow your progress compared to a standard highway drive.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Monroe, IA, or about 45m into the drive.
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 21 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
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 Monroe, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monroe, IA
This is one driving day of about 93.2 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Monroe, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.6 mi from Monroe, IA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.6 miles from Monroe, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.00 | $32.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.94 | $35.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.58 | $41.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.79 | $4.47 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.05 | $5.96 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Night in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
11:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Brooklyn, IA
47 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
22 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
1h 31m 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 Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 93.2 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 14, Downtown, North Dubuque Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.6 miles from Monroe, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monroe, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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