How far is Fairbank, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Fairbank, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 83.8 miles (134.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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 01h 28m.
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 Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbank and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbank and Iowa City.
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1
Start on 4th Street South
21 m · 7 sec · 4th Street South
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2
Turn left onto Main Street East
2641 ft · 50 sec · Main Street East
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3
Turn left onto Walnut Street South
1687 ft · 52 sec · Walnut Street South
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4
Continue on Baxter Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baxter Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Baxter Avenue
41 m · 3 sec · Baxter Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Baxter Avenue
9 mi · 12 min · Baxter Avenue
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7
Continue on Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Street
1395 ft · 30 sec · South Street
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9
Turn right onto Benson Shady Grove Avenue
7.1 mi · 10 min · Benson Shady Grove Avenue
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10
Continue on South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
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11
Take the ramp left
1732 ft · 42 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
54.4 mi · 1 hr · Avenue of the Saints
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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15
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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17
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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18
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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19
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbank 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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Fairbank 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 Fairbank to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 83.8 miles (134.8 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Center Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.8 miles from Fairbank and 42 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.6 miles (116.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.16 one way or $22.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fairbank and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbank and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 72.58 mi (116.8 km).
#1 Fairbank
City in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,132 |
| Coordinates | 42.6391500, -92.0471200 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| 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: 135 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.16 | $22.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.59 | $25.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.78 | $27.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.70 | $31.40 |
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.