Origin
Solon, IA
Night in Solon on Wednesday
Local time
9:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
17m
Distance
11.5 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Solon, IA
Demian Grygorchuk
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling between Solon and Iowa City is a quick, straightforward 11.5-mile journey that typically takes about 17 minutes. You will primarily navigate via South Market Street, Highway 1, and North Dodge Street as you move through the heart of the Midwest. Given the short duration, this trip is easily manageable as a day outing, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. With an estimated fuel cost of just $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute between these two Iowa towns. This route serves as a practical connection for those looking to traverse the local area without the need for extensive planning or multiple stops.
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
5.8 miles from Solon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on major highways, as the route is comprised entirely of local roads and state highway connectors. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on South Market Street, meaning you will encounter frequent transitions as you navigate the path. Since the entire drive is localized, the character of the road remains consistent from start to finish. You should be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged throughout the 17-minute transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Market 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 Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 17m 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 Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Market Street | — | — |
| Highway 1 | — | — |
| North Dodge Street | — | — |
| Church Street | — | — |
| North Gilbert Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Market Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Solon, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on East Main Street
299 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto South Market Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
3
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 1 Northeast
4
Continue on North Dodge Street
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Dodge Street
5
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
6
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Gilbert Street
7
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have maximum flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. You won't need to worry about long-distance pacing or extensive fuel planning, especially with a total fuel cost of only $2 for the entire 11.5-mile trek. Keep in mind that because the route is turn-heavy, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the transition between Highway 1 and North Dodge Street before you head out. Because there are no designated stops, you can easily complete the drive in one go, making it ideal for a quick errand or a direct commute. Pack light and enjoy the ease of a trip that gets you from point A to point B in under 20 minutes.
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 5.8 miles from Solon, IA, or about 8m 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 11.5 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.8 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 15m
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 Solon, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Solon, IA
This is one driving day of about 11.5 miles and 17m.
At 11.5 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 5.8 mi from Solon, IA · 8m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from Solon, 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
$1.80 one way
$3.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.97 | $3.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.21 | $4.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.54 | $5.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.4 | 0 | $1.21 | $0.55 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Night in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
9:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
17m 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 Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 11.5 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Market Street, Highway 1, North Dodge Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 miles from Solon, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.80 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 Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 17m 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 Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Solon, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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