How far is Cresco, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Cresco, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m 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 02h 32m.
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 the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cresco and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cresco and Iowa City.
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1
Start on 8th Avenue East
1678 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue East
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Street West
3257 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street West
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3
Continue on 3rd Street Southwest
1.2 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street Southwest
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4
Continue on Willow Avenue
9.9 mi · 14 min · Willow Avenue
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5
Turn right onto 100th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 100th Street
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6
Turn left onto Union Avenue
9.7 mi · 13 min · Union Avenue
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7
Turn right onto State Highway 24
2539 ft · 56 sec · State Highway 24
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8
Turn left onto County Highway V56
133 m · 9 sec · County Highway V56
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9
Continue on Union Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · Union Avenue
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10
Continue on Viking Avenue
13.3 mi · 18 min · Viking Avenue
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11
Turn left onto 230th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 230th Street
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12
Turn right onto Y Avenue
5 mi · 9 min · Y Avenue
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13
Continue on North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
1375 ft · 33 sec · North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
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14
Turn left onto 102nd Street
1 mi · 1 min · 102nd Street
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15
Continue on Fairbank Street
1223 ft · 28 sec · Fairbank Street
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16
Turn right onto Walnut Street South
1337 ft · 46 sec · Walnut Street South
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17
Continue on Baxter Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baxter Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Baxter Avenue
41 m · 3 sec · Baxter Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Baxter Avenue
9 mi · 12 min · Baxter Avenue
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20
Continue on Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Street
1395 ft · 30 sec · South Street
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22
Turn right onto Benson Shady Grove Avenue
7.1 mi · 10 min · Benson Shady Grove Avenue
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23
Continue on South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
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24
Take the ramp left
1732 ft · 42 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
54.4 mi · 1 hr · Avenue of the Saints
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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28
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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30
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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31
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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32
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cresco and Iowa City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
54.4 mi · 01h 00m
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 Cresco 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 Cresco to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?
Jesup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.1 miles from Cresco and 70.4 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.70 one way or $37.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cresco and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cresco and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 122.52 mi (197.17 km).
#1 Cresco
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 43.3813600, -92.1140500 |
| Altitude | 394 |
| 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: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.70 | $37.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.09 | $42.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.08 | $46.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.31 | $52.62 |
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.