Origin
Sanborn, IA
Morning in Sanborn on Wednesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sanborn, IA to Iowa City, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
299.7 mi
482 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 51m
★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanborn, IA
Viridiana Rivera
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 299.7-mile journey from Sanborn to Iowa City is a full day's drive, estimated at 6 hours and 4 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, keeping your fuel costs around $47. You'll primarily navigate on roads like 220th Street and the Avenue of the Saints, with about 3% of the drive on highways. This route offers a typical Midwest driving experience, moving you across the heart of Iowa. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain a steady pace throughout the day.
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
149.9 miles from Sanborn, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight shot on interstates. While 3% of the route utilizes highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads like 220nd Street and Silver Avenue. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 164.9 miles on 220th Street, so be prepared for varied road conditions and speeds. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively steering and navigating more frequently, offering a more engaging experience than a simple highway cruise.
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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 299.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US-18): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 18 / US-18
Turn right onto US 18 / US-18
Navigation decision point
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
20.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
227.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 164.9 mi | 3h 10m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 64.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Railroad Street | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| 470th Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sanborn, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
47 ft
·
4 sec
·
East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 18
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US-18
4
Continue on US 18
1.4 mi
·
2 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
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
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
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
For this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Sanborn to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. While the drive is doable in one day, plan for your single recommended stop to break up the longest stretch on 220th Street. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on traffic or how you feel on the road.
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 149.9 miles from Sanborn, IA, or about 3h 9m 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.9 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
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 Sanborn, 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 Sanborn, IA
This is one driving day of about 299.7 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sanborn, 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 149.9 mi from Sanborn, IA · 3h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 149.9 miles from Sanborn, 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
$46.85 one way
$93.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $51.44 | $102.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $57.67 | $115.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.17 | $132.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.47 | $14.39 |
| Efficient EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.9 | 1 | $41.96 | $19.18 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Morning in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 15 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
150 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
44 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
6h 4m 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 Sanborn, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 299.7 miles and takes about 6h 4m 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 149.9 miles from Sanborn, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.85 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 299.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US-18): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sanborn, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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