How far is Fairfax, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Fairfax, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.1 miles (35.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairfax and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax and Iowa City.
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1
Start on Vanderbilt Street
135 m · 22 sec · Vanderbilt Street
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2
Turn right onto Church Street
765 ft · 36 sec · Church Street
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3
Turn right onto Williams Boulevard
2.7 mi · 4 min · Williams Boulevard
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Williams Boulevard
26 m · 2 sec · Williams Boulevard
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Williams Boulevard
1594 ft · 25 sec · Williams Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp right
3.7 mi · 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
2293 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
15.4 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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13
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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14
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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15
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairfax 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
15.4 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fairfax 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 Fairfax to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 30.9 miles (49.8 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shueyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Fairfax and 15.5 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.1 miles (35.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.11 one way or $8.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fairfax and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Shueyville
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 Shueyville.
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Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfax and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 22.03 mi (35.46 km).
#1 Fairfax
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,934 |
| Coordinates | 41.9194500, -91.7810100 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| 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: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.64 | $9.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.07 | $10.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.