Origin
Monticello, IA
Evening in Monticello on Wednesday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
48.6 mi
78 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, IA
Serena Koi
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Monticello and Iowa City, you are in for a quick, 48.6-mile trek through the heart of the Midwest. Expect a drive time of approximately 59 minutes, making this an ideal choice for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $7, the route is as economical as it is efficient. Since the entire journey stays off the interstate, you will be navigating local roads the whole way. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a morning or afternoon schedule, perfect for those who prefer to keep their travel plans flexible and low-cost.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
24.3 miles from Monticello, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. You will transition through East 1st Street, South Main Street, and Amber Road, which keeps the experience focused on regional road travel. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on East 1st Street, you should be prepared for frequent turns and navigating local infrastructure. This layout demands your full attention, providing a hands-on driving experience that differs significantly from the predictability of a major interstate. You will feel the unique rhythm of the local landscape as you move steadily toward your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 1st Street 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 Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 1st Street | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
| Amber Road | — | — |
| Highway 1 | — | — |
| 1st Avenue North | — | — |
| North Market Street | — | — |
| North Dodge Street | — | — |
| Church Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 1st Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North Maple Street
72 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Maple Street
2
Turn left onto East 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 1st Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on Amber Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Amber Road
5
Take the ramp right
13 mi
·
15 min
6
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
1 min
7
Turn left onto State Highway 1
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 1
8
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
9
Continue on State Highway 1
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 1
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
121 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 1
11
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 1
12
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 1 Northeast
13
Continue on North Market Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Market Street
14
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 1 Northeast
15
Continue on North Dodge Street
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Dodge Street
16
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
17
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Gilbert Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex refueling strategies given the low $7 fuel cost, but it is always wise to double-check your tank before leaving Monticello. Since the route consists entirely of local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns smoothly. Avoid rushing, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes steady, attentive pacing more important than speed. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival in Iowa City exactly when you need to be there.
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 24.3 miles from Monticello, IA, or about 29m 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 11 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.3 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Monticello, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monticello, IA
This is one driving day of about 48.6 miles and 59m.
At 48.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.3 mi from Monticello, IA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Monticello, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Iowa City, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.60 one way
$15.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.34 | $16.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.35 | $18.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.73 | $21.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.25 | $1.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Evening in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Lisbon, IA
24 mi in
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
3 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
59m 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 Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 48.6 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 1st Street, South Main Street, Amber Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.3 miles from Monticello, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.60 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 Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monticello, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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