How far is Iowa City, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 251.2 miles (404.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 228.5 miles (367.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m 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 42m.
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.
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
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 Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Carter Lake.
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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 right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
2.9 mi · 3 min
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9
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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12
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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13
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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14
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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15
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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16
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Carter Lake.
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 Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 251.2 miles (404.2 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Waukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.3 miles from Iowa City and 125.9 miles from Carter Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 228.5 miles (367.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.41 one way or $66.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Carter Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Waukee
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 Waukee.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 228.56 mi (367.83 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 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carter Lake (-95.91807, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 404 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.41 | $66.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.68 | $75.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.23 | $82.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.99 | $93.99 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.