How far is De Soto, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from De Soto, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128.4 miles (206.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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
136.56 mi
02h 11m
Flight
128.42 mi
206.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from De Soto.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
128.42 mi
Kilometers
206.68 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.56 mi
Kilometers
219.77 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Return by in De Soto
Sun, Apr 19, 3:00 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave De Soto
2026-04-18T22:37
Arrive Iowa City
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in De Soto
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
Oakland Acres
IA

City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States

From De Soto
68.2 mi
01h 05m
To Iowa City
68.4 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between De Soto and Iowa City.

  1. 1

    Start on Maple Street

    808 ft · 38 sec · Maple Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Guthrie Street

    2686 ft · 53 sec · Guthrie Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    2023 ft · 49 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 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 De Soto and Iowa City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35
121 mi · 89%
Guthrie Street
13 mi · 10%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Downtown
0.39 mi
Maple Street
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35

Keep slight left

107 mi · 01h 56m

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
02h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
128.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakland Acres
01h 05m from De Soto
Leave By
2:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving De Soto and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from De Soto to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 136.6 miles (219.8 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?

Oakland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.2 miles from De Soto and 68.4 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 128.4 miles (206.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 2:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.18 one way or $36.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around De Soto and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Stop Ideas Near Oakland Acres

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Oakland Acres, 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 Oakland Acres.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

85 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

109 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between De Soto and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 128.42 mi (206.68 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 De Soto

Human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,061
Coordinates41.5316600, -94.0096700
Altitude287
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: Maple Street (-94.00967, 41.531564)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 220 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.82 gal
18.24 L · about $18.18
Round trip
$36.35
9.64 gal · 36.48 L
Estimated CO2
42.8 kg one way
Round trip: 85.7 kg / 189 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.18 $36.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.50 $41.00
Premium $4.65 $22.43 $44.86
Diesel $5.30 $25.57 $51.13

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

There is no time difference between De Soto and Iowa City. The current time is 22:37:23.

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.