Origin
New Hampton, IA
Evening in New Hampton on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
2h 3m
Distance
122.7 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from New Hampton to Iowa City, you are looking at a 122.7-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes of focused time behind the wheel. Because the total mileage is relatively modest, this route works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. Budget roughly $18 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Iowa locations. This is an ideal trek for travelers who prefer local roads over the predictability of the interstate system. Keep in mind that this route is designed for those who don't mind a bit of navigation, as there are no scheduled stops required.
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
61.4 miles from New Hampton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard highway cruise. You will spend your time navigating McCloud Avenue, 235th Street, and Franklin Street, as the route features 0% highway travel. Because you are sticking to local thoroughfares, there is no single long-distance stretch to zone out on; in fact, your longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on McCloud Avenue. This setup provides a much more tactile driving experience than you would find on a major expressway. Expect constant adjustments and a steady pace as you transition through the rural landscapes connecting these two communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
McCloud Avenue 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 New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 2h 3m 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 New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| McCloud Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 235th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Franklin Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dubuque Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Raymond Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
McCloud Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Hampton, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on South Linn Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Linn Avenue
2
Continue on McCloud Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
McCloud Avenue
3
Turn right onto 235th Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
235th Street
4
Turn left
36 mi
·
44 min
5
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Franklin Street
6
Continue on Dubuque Road
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Dubuque Road
7
Turn slight right
197 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn straight onto South 3rd Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
South 3rd Street
9
Continue on South Raymond Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Raymond Road
10
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
11
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 80
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80 East: Davenport
15
Merge slight left
4.2 mi
·
4 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Downtown
17
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
18
Turn left onto Kimball Road
476 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
19
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a two-hour drive without built-in stops, it offers you total flexibility in your departure schedule. We recommend leaving early in the day to ensure you reach Iowa City with plenty of time to spare, especially since local roads can be slower than major interstates. While there are no official stops on the itinerary, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out to ensure your $18 budget is sufficient for the full trip. Because the route relies entirely on local streets like 235th Street, double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are following the turn-heavy path correctly. Staying alert for frequent turns is the best way to keep your trip smooth and stress-free.
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 61.4 miles from New Hampton, IA, or about 1h 1m 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 80 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.4 miles or 1h 1m 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 41m
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 New Hampton, 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 New Hampton, IA
This is one driving day of about 122.7 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Hampton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.4 mi from New Hampton, IA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.4 miles from New Hampton, 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.
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
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $20.55 | $41.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $23.16 | $46.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.26 | $54.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Evening in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
5:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 3m 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 New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 122.7 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are McCloud Avenue, 235th Street, Franklin Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.4 miles from New Hampton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.64 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 New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 2h 3m 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 New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from New Hampton, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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