Origin
Osceola County, IA
Afternoon in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Osceola County, IA to Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
6h 24m
Distance
313.1 mi
504 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Osceola County, IA
Tom Fisk
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Osceola County to Iowa City covers 313.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest. Expect the journey to take approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $47 for fuel to complete the trek. Since this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a different perspective on the Iowa landscape compared to typical highway travel.
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
156.5 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature, utilizing 190th Street, County Highway A30, and 320th Street to navigate the state. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating backroads for the entirety of the 313.5-mile journey. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience where the focus shifts from high-speed cruising to steady, local navigation. The lack of interstate stretches means you will experience a continuous, immersive drive through the regional countryside rather than a monotonous, paved-over commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 164.9 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 miles in near US 59 / Silver Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 313.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 20 / 220th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
15.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 20 / 220th Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 20 / 220th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
240.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
305.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 164.9 mi | 3h 10m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 64.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| County Highway A30 | 13 mi | 17m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Railroad Street | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
County Highway A30
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
5
Turn right onto US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rerick Avenue
7
Continue on US 59
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
9
Turn right onto US 59
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Tanager Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 59
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Q Avenue
11
Continue on US 59
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Railroad Street
12
Turn left onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
17
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
18
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
19
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
220th Street
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Use the none lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
24
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
26
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
27
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
28
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
29
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive requires constant attention on local roads, planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to keep your energy levels up. Aim to depart early in the day to ensure you navigate the turn-heavy segments while you are fresh and visibility is at its peak. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local routes may have fewer service station options than major highways. Since the entire journey is designed to be completed in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions or personal fatigue.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.5 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 80 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.5 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 16m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 313.1 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Osceola County, 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 220th Street for about 164.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.5 mi from Osceola County, IA · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 156.5 miles from Osceola County, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.9 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.56 one way
$95.11 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.43 | $104.85 |
| premium | $4.80 | $59.11 | $118.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.56 | $139.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.88 | $15.03 |
| Efficient EV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.40 | $12.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.83 | $20.04 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
157 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
2 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
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Osceola County, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 313.1 miles and takes about 6h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, Avenue of the Saints, Silver Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 156.5 miles from Osceola County, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 313.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 20 / 220th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Osceola County, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Iowa City, IA
More trips to Iowa City, IA
Explore more options from Osceola County, IA or browse trips ending in Iowa City, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Osceola County, IA or Iowa City, IA on MapSof.net.