How far is Garner, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Garner, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 186.4 miles (300 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.2 miles (233.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Garner and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garner and Iowa City.
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1
Start on East 3rd Street
21 m · 6 sec · East 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto State Street
1270 ft · 39 sec · State Street
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3
Turn right
12.7 mi · 18 min
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
1541 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.6 mi · 3 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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9
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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11
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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16
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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18
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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19
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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20
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Garner 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.
US 18 East
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 01h 34m
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 Garner 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 Garner to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 186.4 miles (300 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Janesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93 miles from Garner and 93.4 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.2 miles (233.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.81 one way or $49.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Garner and Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Garner and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 145.24 mi (233.74 km).
#1 Garner
Town in Hancock County, Iowa
| Population | 3,031 |
| Coordinates | 43.1024600, -93.6018800 |
| Altitude | 369 |
| 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: 300 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.81 | $49.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.98 | $55.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.62 | $61.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.