How far is Iowa City, IA from Ackley, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Ackley, IA is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
123.75 mi
02h 30m
Flight
99.51 mi
160.14 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.51 mi
Kilometers
160.14 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
123.75 mi
Kilometers
199.16 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ackley
Sat, Apr 18, 5:31 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 8:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-18T03:01
Arrive Ackley
Sat, Apr 18, 5:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Iowa City
61.8 mi
01h 15m
To Ackley
62 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
46°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Ackley.

  1. 1

    Start on South Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2315 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    37.9 mi · 44 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: Ackley, Eldora

    2229 ft · 56 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto County Highway S56

    5.9 mi · 10 min · County Highway S56

  12. 12

    Continue on Butler Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Butler Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Park Avenue

    1733 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto Main Street

    35 m · 5 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Ackley.

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
109 mi · 88%
County Highway S56
5.94 mi · 5%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 4%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Butler Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.8 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.3 mi
99.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
01h 15m from Iowa City
Leave By
1:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ackley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Ackley?

The road trip is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.8 miles from Iowa City and 62 miles from Ackley.

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

The direct path is about 99.5 miles (160.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 1:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.48 one way or $32.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ackley.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Ackley. Straight-line distance: 99.51 mi (160.14 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Ackley

#2 Ackley

City in Iowa, America

Population1,485
Coordinates42.5541500, -93.0532600
Altitude333
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Ackley (-93.05326, 42.55415)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 199 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.37 gal
16.53 L · about $16.48
Round trip
$32.96
8.74 gal · 33.06 L
Estimated CO2
38.8 kg one way
Round trip: 77.7 kg / 171 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.48 $32.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.59 $37.17
Premium $4.65 $20.34 $40.68
Diesel $5.30 $23.18 $46.36

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

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Ackley. The current time is 03:01:39.

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.