How far is Iowa City, IA from Clear Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Clear Lake, IA is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139 miles (223.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 48m 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 03h 24m.
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.
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Clear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Clear Lake.
-
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
-
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
-
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
-
4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
-
10
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
-
11
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
-
12
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
-
13
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
-
14
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
82.5 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
1386 ft · 40 sec
-
18
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South
-
19
Turn right onto South 8th Street
1671 ft · 34 sec · South 8th Street
-
20
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
57 m · 14 sec · 1st Avenue North
-
21
Turn left onto North 6th Street
24 m · 4 sec · North 6th Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Clear Lake.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
82.5 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Clear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Clear Lake?
The road trip is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?
Cedar Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Iowa City and 86.4 miles from Clear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139 miles (223.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Clear Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Clear Lake. Straight-line distance: 138.97 mi (223.65 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 Clear Lake
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,517 |
| Coordinates | 43.1380200, -93.3793700 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clear Lake (-93.37937, 43.13802)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.90 | $51.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.34 | $56.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
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.