How far is Decorah, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 134 miles (215.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decorah and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decorah and Iowa City.
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1
Start on East Main Street
120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Winnebago Street
104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street
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3
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Turn left onto South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Short Street
2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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6
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2194 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 9
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7
Turn left
10 mi · 14 min
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8
Continue on Highway 150
7 mi · 10 min · Highway 150
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9
Continue on Lincoln Road
7.8 mi · 12 min · Lincoln Road
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10
Continue on State Highway 150
1.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 150
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11
Continue on Lincoln Road
7.1 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road
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12
Continue on State Highway 150
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150
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13
Continue on K Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · K Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 100th Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street
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15
Continue on Main Street East
1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street East
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16
Turn left onto P Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · P Avenue
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17
Continue on 60th Street
2127 ft · 41 sec · 60th Street
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18
Turn left onto Palace Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Palace Road
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19
Continue on North Frederick Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue
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20
Turn straight onto Highway 150
134 m · 7 sec · Highway 150
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21
Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast
778 ft · 15 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast
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22
Continue on 1st Avenue Southeast
1413 ft · 26 sec · 1st Avenue Southeast
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23
Turn straight onto Rock Island Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rock Island Road
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24
Continue on Palace Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road
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25
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue
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26
Continue on Main Street North
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street North
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27
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue
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28
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue
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29
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast
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30
Turn right onto 1st Street East
647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East
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31
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast
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32
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue
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33
Continue on 31st Avenue
3.8 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue
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34
Take the ramp left
1474 ft · 36 sec
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35
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi · 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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36
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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37
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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38
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
-
39
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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40
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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41
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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42
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decorah 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.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah 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 Decorah to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 134 miles (215.7 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?
Independence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67 miles from Decorah and 67 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 1:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.84 one way or $35.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 114.21 mi (183.8 km).
#1 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.84 | $35.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.12 | $40.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.09 | $50.18 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.