How far is Arnolds Park, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Arnolds Park, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 290.4 miles (467.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.9 miles (350.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 29m 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 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arnolds Park and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnolds Park and Iowa City.
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1
Start on Kruse Beach
38 m · 11 sec · Kruse Beach
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2
Turn left onto Iowa Street
792 ft · 35 sec · Iowa Street
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3
Turn right onto Linden Drive
535 ft · 22 sec · Linden Drive
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4
Turn left onto Okoboji Grove Road North
15.4 mi · 23 min · Okoboji Grove Road North
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5
Continue on Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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6
Turn right onto West 8th Street
117 m · 13 sec · West 8th Street
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7
Turn left onto 1st Avenue West
2264 ft · 50 sec · 1st Avenue West
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 2nd Street
119 m · 12 sec · West 2nd Street
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9
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1961 ft · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
1691 ft · 39 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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11
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
2608 ft · 56 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest
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12
Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest
2652 ft · 58 sec · 11th Street Southwest
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13
Turn left onto 11th Avenue Southwest
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest
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14
Continue on 215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue
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15
Continue on 130th Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue
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16
Continue on County Highway 71
1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71
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17
Continue on 130th Avenue
27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue
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18
Continue on US 71
1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71
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19
Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
1841 ft · 51 sec
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20
Merge slight left
153.3 mi · 2 hr 57 min
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21
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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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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24
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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26
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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27
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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28
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arnolds Park and Iowa City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
153 mi · 02h 57m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arnolds Park and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arnolds Park to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 290.4 miles (467.3 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145 miles from Arnolds Park and 145.4 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.9 miles (350.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.5 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 7:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.65 one way or $77.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Arnolds Park and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arnolds Park and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 217.87 mi (350.63 km).
#1 Arnolds Park
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,354 |
| Coordinates | 43.3727400, -95.1238800 |
| Altitude | 434 |
| 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: 467 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.65 | $77.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.59 | $87.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.70 | $95.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.37 | $108.73 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.