How far is Ackley, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from Ackley, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 124.6 miles (200.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
124.57 mi
02h 01m
Flight
99.51 mi
160.14 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ackley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.51 mi
Kilometers
160.14 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.57 mi
Kilometers
200.48 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Sun, Apr 19, 2:05 AM CDT
Return by in Ackley
Sun, Apr 19, 4:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ackley
2026-04-19T00:03
Arrive Iowa City
Sun, Apr 19, 2:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ackley
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Ackley
62.1 mi
01h 00m
To Iowa City
62.4 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph WNW
Destination
56°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ackley and Iowa City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ackley and Iowa City.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1786 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Butler Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Butler Street

  3. 3

    Continue on County Highway S56

    6.3 mi · 11 min · County Highway S56

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1554 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    44.1 mi · 51 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ackley and Iowa City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 52%
County Highway S56
50.7 mi · 41%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 4%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Butler Street
0.73 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

64.7 mi · 01h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
99.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
01h 00m from Ackley
Leave By
2:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ackley and Sunny near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ackley to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 124.6 miles (200.5 km) and usually takes 02h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.1 miles from Ackley and 62.4 miles from Iowa City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.59 one way or $33.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ackley and Sunny near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ackley and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 99.51 mi (160.14 km).

Ackley

#1 Ackley

City in Iowa, America

Population1,485
Coordinates42.5541500, -93.0532600
Altitude333
CountryUnited States
Iowa City

#2 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-93.05326, 42.554147)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 200 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.4 gal
16.64 L · about $16.59
Round trip
$33.18
8.8 gal · 33.28 L
Estimated CO2
39.1 kg one way
Round trip: 78.2 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.59 $33.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.71 $37.43
Premium $4.65 $20.48 $40.96
Diesel $5.30 $23.34 $46.68

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Ackley and Iowa City. The current time is 00:03:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.