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

The driving distance from Eldridge, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
56.86 mi
00h 57m
Flight
48.81 mi
78.55 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eldridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
48.81 mi
Kilometers
78.55 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.86 mi
Kilometers
91.5 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Mon, May 25, 9:55 AM CDT
Return by in Eldridge
Mon, May 25, 10:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eldridge
2026-05-25T08:57
Arrive Iowa City
Mon, May 25, 9:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eldridge
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wilton
IA

City in Muscatine County, Iowa

From Eldridge
28.4 mi
00h 29m
To Iowa City
28.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
86°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 2nd Street

    22 m · 5 sec · North 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Donahue Street

    95 m · 13 sec · Donahue Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 1st Street

    1315 ft · 49 sec · North 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Leclaire Road

    1 km · 2 min · East Leclaire Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1937 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    49.1 mi · 54 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon

    1592 ft · 41 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Dodge Street

    2.1 mi · 5 min · North Dodge Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Church Street

    1200 ft · 38 sec · Church Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Gilbert Street

    2492 ft · 2 min · North Gilbert Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eldridge 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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Leclaire Road
53.5 mi · 94%
North Dodge Street
2.1 mi · 4%
North Gilbert Street
0.47 mi · 1%
IA 1
0.3 mi · 1%
North 1st Street
0.25 mi
Church Street
0.23 mi
Longest Stretch

East Leclaire Road

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
48.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wilton
00h 29m from Eldridge
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Eldridge and Sunny near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 56.9 miles (91.5 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Wilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.4 miles from Eldridge and 28.5 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.58 one way or $15.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Eldridge and Sunny near Iowa City.

Stop Ideas Near Wilton

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

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

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

37 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

40 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

45 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

82 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eldridge and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 48.81 mi (78.55 km).

Eldridge

#1 Eldridge

City in Scott County Iowa

Population6,864
Coordinates41.6580900, -90.5845800
Altitude243
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: North 2nd Street (-90.58443, 41.65809)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.01 gal
7.59 L · about $7.58
Round trip
$15.16
4.02 gal · 15.18 L
Estimated CO2
17.9 kg one way
Round trip: 35.7 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.58 $15.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.55 $17.10
Premium $4.65 $9.35 $18.71
Diesel $5.30 $10.66 $21.32

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Eldridge and Iowa City. The current time is 08:57:39.

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.