Origin
Oskaloosa, IA
Afternoon in Oskaloosa on Sunday
Local time
2:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
84.9 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oskaloosa, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Oskaloosa to Iowa City, you are looking at a straightforward 84.9-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating the route involves a series of local roads, specifically A Avenue East, Highway 92, and Highway 149. With fuel costs estimated at $13, this is an economical way to travel between these two Midwest hubs. Because the entire route stays off the interstate, you will experience a more direct, localized connection between your starting point and destination.
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
42.4 miles from Oskaloosa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy experience on this drive, as the entire 84.9-mile path relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. Since the highway share is 0%, your focus will be on navigating the transitions between A Avenue East, Highway 92, and Highway 149. There is no long-haul, uninterrupted stretch of road here, so you will need to remain attentive to frequent changes in direction. Unlike a monotonous highway grind, this route offers a more hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local landscape. Prepare for a steady pace as you move through the interior of the state.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
A Avenue East 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 Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 30m 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 Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A Avenue East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 92 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 149 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 22 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
A Avenue East
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oskaloosa, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on the route
56 ft
·
9 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto A Avenue East
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
A Avenue East
3
Continue on State Highway 92
23 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 92
4
Turn left onto State Highway 149
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 149
5
Continue on Main Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on State Highway 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 22
7
Continue on 6th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
8
Continue on State Highway 22
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 22
9
Continue on East Avenue
390 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Avenue
10
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
11
Continue on State Highway 1
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 1
12
Continue on Highway 1 Southwest
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 1 Southwest
13
Continue on Highway 1 West
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 1 West
14
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
15
Turn left onto South Gilbert Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Gilbert Street
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short at 1 hour and 30 minutes, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid local traffic. You do not need to worry about planning for multiple rest stops, as you can easily complete the trip in one go. Keep in mind that since you are relying on smaller roads, your speed will likely remain consistent rather than fast. Budget approximately $13 for fuel before you head out, and ensure your tank is topped off in Oskaloosa to avoid hunting for stations along the more rural segments. A helpful tip is to check the turn-by-turn navigation on A Avenue East and Highway 149 before leaving, as the lack of interstate signage makes paying attention to road markers essential.
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 42.4 miles from Oskaloosa, 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 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 17m
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 Oskaloosa, 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 Oskaloosa, IA
This is one driving day of about 84.9 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oskaloosa, 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 42.4 mi from Oskaloosa, IA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 42.4 miles from Oskaloosa, 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
$12.90 one way
$25.79 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.22 | $28.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.03 | $32.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.86 | $37.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.91 | $4.08 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34 | 0 | $11.89 | $5.43 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:52 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
5 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
1h 30m 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 Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 84.9 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are A Avenue East, Highway 92, Highway 149. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.4 miles from Oskaloosa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.90 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 Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 30m 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 Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oskaloosa, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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