How far is Gilbert, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Gilbert, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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 02h 15m.
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.
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 Gilbert and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert and Iowa City.
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1
Start on 170th Street
29 m · 3 sec · 170th Street
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2
Continue on Mathews Drive
2547 ft · 1 min · Mathews Drive
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mathews Drive
31 m · 3 sec · Mathews Drive
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Mathews Drive
526 ft · 15 sec · Mathews Drive
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5
Continue on 170th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · 170th Street
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6
Turn right
2.8 mi · 4 min
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7
Turn left onto West Riverside Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · West Riverside Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Dayton Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · North Dayton Avenue
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9
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2472 ft · 58 sec · East 13th Street
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10
Take the ramp right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1641 ft · 40 sec
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11
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Nevada
1254 ft · 43 sec
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13
Merge slight left
99.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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14
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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15
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
15.4 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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18
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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20
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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21
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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22
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gilbert 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.
US 30 East
Merge slight left
99.3 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Sunny leaving Gilbert 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 Gilbert to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 134.5 miles (216.4 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67 miles from Gilbert and 67.5 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 1:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.87 one way or $35.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gilbert and Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Tama
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 Tama.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gilbert and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 113.29 mi (182.32 km).
#1 Gilbert
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,152 |
| Coordinates | 42.1069300, -93.6496600 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| 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: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.87 | $35.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.16 | $40.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.14 | $50.28 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.