How far is Alton, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Alton, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 305.3 miles (491.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.5 miles (396.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alton and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton and Iowa City.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn left onto West 10th Street
48 m · 9 sec · West 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1794 ft · 43 sec · 3rd Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Division Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Division Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 10
1388 ft · 22 sec · State Highway 10
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6
Continue on 460th Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
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7
Turn right onto Kiwi Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue
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8
Continue on County Road L14
7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14
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9
Continue on State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140
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10
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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11
Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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12
Continue on Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 8 min · Lee Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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14
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
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15
Continue on 220th Street
165.9 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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19
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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21
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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22
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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23
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alton and Iowa City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
220th Street
Continue on 220th Street
166 mi · 03h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Alton and Partly Sunny near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alton to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 305.3 miles (491.3 km) and usually takes 04h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kamrar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Alton and 152.7 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.5 miles (396.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.61 one way or $81.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Alton and Partly Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alton and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 246.5 mi (396.7 km).
#1 Alton
Human settlement in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,249 |
| Coordinates | 42.9874900, -96.0105700 |
| Altitude | 404 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.61 | $81.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.80 | $91.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.12 | $100.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.12 | $114.25 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.