How far is Denison, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Denison, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 219.4 miles (353.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denison and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison and Iowa City.
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1
Start on North Main Street
1961 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
2582 ft · 1 min · 4th Avenue South
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3
Keep slight left to continue on US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Dunlap, Harlan
2 mi · 3 min
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4
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 8 min
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5
Turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
13.7 mi · 19 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on West 6th Street
1350 ft · 21 sec · West 6th Street
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7
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
34.3 mi · 48 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Railway Street
2631 ft · 55 sec · Railway Street
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9
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 5 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16.5 mi · 20 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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12
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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13
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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14
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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15
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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16
Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive
1354 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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17
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
1886 ft · 46 sec
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18
Merge slight left
7.9 mi · 9 min
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19
Continue straight
1.2 km · 51 sec
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20
Continue straight
3105 ft · 41 sec
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21
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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23
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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24
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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25
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denison and Iowa City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-35 north
Keep slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Denison 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 Denison to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 219.4 miles (353.1 km) and usually takes 03h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.5 miles from Denison and 109.9 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 198.4 miles (319.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.19 one way or $58.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Denison and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Saylorville
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 Saylorville.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denison and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 198.42 mi (319.32 km).
#1 Denison
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 8,249 |
| Coordinates | 42.0177700, -95.3552800 |
| Altitude | 391 |
| 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: 353 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.19 | $58.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.02 | $72.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.05 | $82.11 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.