How far is Ida Grove, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from Ida Grove, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 253.2 miles (407.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 207.8 miles (334.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
253.21 mi
03h 59m
Flight
207.79 mi
334.41 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ida Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
207.79 mi
Kilometers
334.41 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
253.21 mi
Kilometers
407.5 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Tue, May 12, 11:35 PM CDT
Return by in Ida Grove
Wed, May 13, 3:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ida Grove
2026-05-12T19:36
Arrive Iowa City
Tue, May 12, 11:35 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ida Grove
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Ida Grove
125.5 mi
01h 59m
To Iowa City
127.7 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ida Grove and Iowa City.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street

    34 m · 8 sec · 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    80 m · 5 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Moorehead Avenue

    2994 ft · 1 min · Moorehead Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    1584 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Keystone Avenue

    1198 ft · 29 sec · Keystone Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    2 mi · 4 min · 240th Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Market Avenue

    8.2 mi · 11 min · Market Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 160th Street

    1.7 mi · 2 min · 160th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 220th Street

    165.9 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ida Grove 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
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
166 mi · 66%
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 26%
Market Avenue
8.2 mi · 3%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 2%
240th Street
1.96 mi · 1%
160th Street
1.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

166 mi · 03h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.4 mi
207.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
01h 59m from Ida Grove
Leave By
9:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ida Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ida Grove to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 253.2 miles (407.5 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.5 miles from Ida Grove and 127.7 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 207.8 miles (334.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.4 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 9:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.68 one way or $67.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ida Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ida Grove and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 207.79 mi (334.41 km).

Ida Grove

#1 Ida Grove

City in Ida County, Iowa, United States

Population2,037
Coordinates42.3449900, -95.4716700
Altitude376
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: 2nd Street (-95.471671, 42.345089)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 408 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.93 gal
33.82 L · about $33.68
Round trip
$67.35
17.86 gal · 67.64 L
Estimated CO2
79.4 kg one way
Round trip: 158.7 kg / 350 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.68 $67.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.98 $75.96
Premium $4.65 $41.56 $83.12
Diesel $5.30 $47.36 $94.73

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Ida Grove and Iowa City. The current time is 19:36:08.

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.