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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Boone, IA is about 141.1 miles (227.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 124 miles (199.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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
141.12 mi
02h 49m
Flight
124.03 mi
199.6 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
124.03 mi
Kilometers
199.6 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
141.12 mi
Kilometers
227.11 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boone
Fri, Apr 17, 11:24 PM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 2:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-17T20:35
Arrive Boone
Fri, Apr 17, 11:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 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
Tama
IA

City in Tokyo, Japan

From Iowa City
70.4 mi
01h 24m
To Boone
70.7 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
78°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

    33.7 mi · 40 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    78.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto T Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · T Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 210th Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · 210th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mamie Eisenhower Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
78.3 mi · 55%
US 30 West
33.7 mi · 24%
Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 11%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 4%
Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
2.38 mi · 2%
210th Street
2.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

78.3 mi · 01h 31m

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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
124 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tama
01h 24m from Iowa City
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Boone.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 141.1 miles (227.1 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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 70.4 miles from Iowa City and 70.7 miles from Boone.

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

The direct path is about 124 miles (199.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.78 one way or $37.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Iowa City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Boone.

Stop Ideas Near Tama

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tama, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tama.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

106 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Boone. Straight-line distance: 124.03 mi (199.6 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Boone

City in Iowa, United States

Population12,407
Coordinates42.0597000, -93.8802300
Altitude346
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Boone (-93.88023, 42.0597)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 227 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.98 gal
18.85 L · about $18.78
Round trip
$37.56
9.96 gal · 37.7 L
Estimated CO2
44.3 kg one way
Round trip: 88.5 kg / 195 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.78 $37.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.18 $42.36
Premium $4.65 $23.18 $46.35
Diesel $5.30 $26.41 $52.83

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 Boone. The current time is 20:35:14.

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.