How far is Bedford, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Bedford, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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 03h 46m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bedford and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford and Iowa City.
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1
Start on Madison Street
696 ft · 14 sec · Madison Street
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2
Turn right onto Pearl Street
2337 ft · 47 sec · Pearl Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Pearl Street
670 ft · 13 sec · Pearl Street
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4
Continue on County Road N44
2035 ft · 41 sec · County Road N44
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5
Turn right onto State Highway 2
12.6 mi · 19 min · State Highway 2
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6
Continue on State Highway 2
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 2
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7
Continue on State Highway 2
33.6 mi · 49 min · State Highway 2
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8
Take the ramp left
1576 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left
73.1 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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10
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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12
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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13
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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14
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bedford 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.
State Highway 2
Keep slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
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.
Sunny leaving Bedford 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 Bedford to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 232.6 miles (374.4 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.9 miles from Bedford and 116.7 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 53 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.96 one way or $61.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bedford and Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bedford and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 179.63 mi (289.08 km).
#1 Bedford
Town in Taylor County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,380 |
| Coordinates | 40.6669300, -94.7213600 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| 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: 374 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.96 | $61.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.92 | $69.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.21 | $76.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.55 | $87.09 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.