Origin
Wilton, IA
Evening in Wilton on Wednesday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
35m
Distance
31.7 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilton, IA
Tom Fisk
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Wilton and Iowa City, this 31.7-mile trek is a straightforward way to cross the Midwest landscape. Expect to spend about 35 minutes behind the wheel, making it an effortless one-day excursion that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical route for a short commute or a casual afternoon trip. You will navigate primarily via West 5th Street, Highway 6, and Rose Avenue rather than relying on major interstates. Because both towns are located within the same region, the transition feels like a seamless local journey. It is a practical choice if you need a reliable, low-cost connection between these two Iowa communities.
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
15.9 miles from Wilton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. You will not spend any time on major highways, as the route relies entirely on local roads and secondary thoroughfares. Because there is no highway share, the experience is less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating the specific turns required by the route. You should prepare for a consistent, hands-on driving experience without any long, uninterrupted stretches. The personality of this trip is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert through the various segments that connect Wilton to Iowa City.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 5th 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 Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 35m 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 Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 5th Street | — | — |
| Highway 6 | — | — |
| Rose Avenue | — | — |
| IA 1 | — | — |
| North Dodge Street | — | — |
| Church Street | — | — |
| North Gilbert Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West 5th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilton, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Maurer Street
318 ft
·
20 sec
·
Maurer Street
2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto United States Highway 6
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
United States Highway 6
4
Continue on Rose Avenue
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Rose Avenue
5
Take the ramp straight
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
6
Merge slight left
24 mi
·
25 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
IA 1: Mount Vernon
8
Turn left onto North Dodge Street
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Dodge Street
9
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Church Street
10
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Gilbert Street
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about complex rest stops or long-distance pacing, as the trip is short enough to complete in one go. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your navigation before pulling out of Wilton to stay on track with the West 5th Street and Highway 6 transitions. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, but otherwise, enjoy the freedom of such a short transit time. The primary advantage of this route is its simplicity, so use that to your benefit by keeping your planning light and your schedule open.
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 15.9 miles from Wilton, IA, or about 17m 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 31.7 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.9 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
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 Wilton, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wilton, IA
This is one driving day of about 31.7 miles and 35m.
At 31.7 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 15.9 mi from Wilton, IA · 17m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.9 miles from Wilton, 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
$4.96 one way
$9.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.44 | $10.88 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.44 | $2.03 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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 Wednesday
Local time
7:41 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
35m 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 Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA covers 31.7 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 5th Street, Highway 6, Rose Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.9 miles from Wilton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.96 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 Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 35m 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 Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wilton, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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