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

The driving distance from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 59m 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
87.39 mi
01h 29m
Flight
70.3 mi
113.13 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clinton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
70.3 mi
Kilometers
113.13 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.39 mi
Kilometers
140.64 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 01h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Tue, May 5, 8:51 AM CDT
Return by in Clinton
Tue, May 5, 10:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clinton
2026-05-05T07:21
Arrive Iowa City
Tue, May 5, 8:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clinton
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
Walcott
IA

City in Iowa

From Clinton
43.5 mi
00h 44m
To Iowa City
43.9 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
58°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue South

    1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Bluff Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Bluff Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Manufacturing Drive

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Manufacturing Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Lincoln Way

    17.2 mi · 21 min · Lincoln Way

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    13.9 mi · 16 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    49.1 mi · 54 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon

    1592 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Dodge Street

    2.1 mi · 5 min · North Dodge Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Church Street

    1200 ft · 38 sec · Church Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Gilbert Street

    2492 ft · 2 min · North Gilbert Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Way
80.2 mi · 92%
North Dodge Street
2.1 mi · 2%
Manufacturing Drive
1.58 mi · 2%
South Bluff Boulevard
1.41 mi · 2%
2nd Avenue South
0.86 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Way

Take the exit slight right

49.1 mi · 00h 54m

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
01h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
70.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Walcott
00h 44m from Clinton
Leave By
3:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Clinton and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 87.4 miles (140.6 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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?

Walcott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.5 miles from Clinton and 43.9 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 70.3 miles (113.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 3:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.61 one way or $23.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Clinton and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.

Stop Ideas Near Walcott

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Walcott, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Walcott.

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

18 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

20 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

26 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Galesburg station

79 mi away
225 South Seminary Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clinton and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 70.3 mi (113.13 km).

Clinton

#1 Clinton

Clinton is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States, and the county seat.

Population25,039
Coordinates41.8444700, -90.1887400
Altitude179
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: 2nd Avenue South (-90.18874, 41.844512)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.08 gal
11.67 L · about $11.61
Round trip
$23.23
6.16 gal · 23.34 L
Estimated CO2
27.4 kg one way
Round trip: 54.7 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.61 $23.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.10 $26.20
Premium $4.65 $14.33 $28.67
Diesel $5.30 $16.34 $32.67

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Clinton and Iowa City. The current time is 07:21:37.

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.