How far is Central City, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Central City, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Iowa City.
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1
Start on Main Street
1254 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on West Maple Street
911 ft · 33 sec · West Maple Street
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3
Turn left onto Marion Road
19.3 mi · 24 min · Marion Road
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 30 East: Mount Vernon
1.3 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Freeway
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6
Turn right onto Cedar River Road
2.8 mi · 7 min · Cedar River Road
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7
Turn right onto State Highway 1
2.3 mi · 3 min · State Highway 1
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8
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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9
Continue on North Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Market Street
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10
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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11
Continue on North Dodge Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · North Dodge Street
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12
Turn right onto Church Street
1200 ft · 38 sec · Church Street
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13
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
2492 ft · 2 min · North Gilbert Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and Iowa City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Marion Road
Turn left onto Marion Road
19.3 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Central City 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 Central City to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
Bertram is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.9 miles from Central City and 21.9 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.81 one way or $11.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Central City and Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Bertram
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 Bertram.
Davenport, Iowa
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Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 37.5 mi (60.35 km).
#1 Central City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 42.2038800, -91.5240600 |
| Altitude | 254 |
| 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: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.81 | $11.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.55 | $13.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.17 | $14.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.