How far is Iowa City, IA from Alton, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Alton, IA is about 305.7 miles (491.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 246.5 miles (396.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Alton.
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1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
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3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
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5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Continue on 160th Street
6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street
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11
Continue on United States Highway 20
1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20
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12
Continue on Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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13
Turn right onto Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
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14
Continue on Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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15
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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16
Turn right onto State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140
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17
Continue on County Road L14
7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14
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18
Continue on Kiwi Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto 460th Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 10
1388 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 10
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21
Turn left onto East Division Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East Division Street
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22
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
1794 ft · 41 sec · 3rd Avenue
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23
Turn left onto West 10th Street
48 m · 9 sec · West 10th Street
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24
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Alton.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
160 mi · 03h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Alton?
The road trip is about 305.7 miles (491.9 km) and usually takes 06h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kamrar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152.5 miles from Iowa City and 153.1 miles from Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 246.5 miles (396.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.2 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.69 one way or $81.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers near Alton.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Alton. Straight-line distance: 246.5 mi (396.7 km).
#1 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alton
Human settlement in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,249 |
| Coordinates | 42.9874900, -96.0105700 |
| Altitude | 404 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-96.01057, 42.98749)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 492 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.69 | $81.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.89 | $91.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.22 | $100.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.23 | $114.46 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.