How far is Iowa City, IA from Bedford, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Bedford, IA is about 232.3 miles (373.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 12m 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 04h 36m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
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 Iowa City and Bedford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Bedford.
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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
119.9 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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6
Keep slight left
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Leon, Mount Ayr
2038 ft · 51 sec
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8
Turn right onto State Highway 2
20.4 mi · 29 min · State Highway 2
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9
Continue on South Street
13 mi · 19 min · South Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 2
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 2
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11
Continue on State Highway 2
12.6 mi · 19 min · State Highway 2
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12
Turn left onto County Road N44
2136 ft · 43 sec · County Road N44
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13
Continue on Pearl Street
3007 ft · 1 min · Pearl Street
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14
Turn left onto Madison Street
696 ft · 12 sec · Madison Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Bedford.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
North Dubuque Street
Merge slight left
120 mi · 02h 11m
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 Iowa City and Sunny near Bedford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Bedford?
The road trip is about 232.3 miles (373.9 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116 miles from Iowa City and 116.4 miles from Bedford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.7 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 7:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.92 one way or $61.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Bedford.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Bedford. Straight-line distance: 179.63 mi (289.08 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 Bedford
Town in Taylor County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,380 |
| Coordinates | 40.6669300, -94.7213600 |
| Altitude | 344 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bedford (-94.72136, 40.66693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 374 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.92 | $61.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.87 | $69.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.16 | $76.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.49 | $86.99 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.