How far is Iowa City, IA from Cresco, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Cresco, IA is about 139.9 miles (225.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Cresco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Cresco.
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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
54.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CR V65: Jesup, La Porte City
2146 ft · 54 sec
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10
Turn right onto South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
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11
Continue on Benson Shady Grove Avenue
7.1 mi · 10 min · Benson Shady Grove Avenue
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Street
1395 ft · 30 sec · South Street
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13
Turn right onto Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Main Street
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14
Continue on Baxter Avenue
9 mi · 12 min · Baxter Avenue
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Baxter Avenue
39 m · 3 sec · Baxter Avenue
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Baxter Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baxter Avenue
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17
Continue on Walnut Street South
1337 ft · 51 sec · Walnut Street South
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18
Turn left onto Fairbank Street
1223 ft · 26 sec · Fairbank Street
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19
Continue on 102nd Street
1 mi · 1 min · 102nd Street
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20
Turn right onto North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
1375 ft · 27 sec · North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
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21
Continue on Y Avenue
5 mi · 9 min · Y Avenue
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22
Turn left onto 230th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 230th Street
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23
Turn right onto Viking Avenue
13.3 mi · 18 min · Viking Avenue
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24
Continue on Union Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · Union Avenue
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25
Continue on County Highway V56
133 m · 11 sec · County Highway V56
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26
Turn right onto State Highway 24
2539 ft · 53 sec · State Highway 24
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27
Turn left onto Union Avenue
9.7 mi · 13 min · Union Avenue
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28
Turn right onto 100th Street
1 mi · 1 min · 100th Street
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29
Turn left onto Willow Avenue
9.9 mi · 14 min · Willow Avenue
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30
Continue on 3rd Street Southwest
1.2 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street Southwest
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31
Continue on 3rd Street West
3257 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street West
-
32
Turn right onto 8th Avenue West
1678 ft · 1 min · 8th Avenue West
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Cresco.
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
54.6 mi · 01h 01m
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 leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Cresco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Cresco?
The road trip is about 139.9 miles (225.1 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Jesup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70 miles from Iowa City and 69.9 miles from Cresco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.59 one way or $37.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Cresco.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Cresco. Straight-line distance: 122.52 mi (197.17 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 Cresco
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,744 |
| Coordinates | 43.3813600, -92.1140500 |
| Altitude | 394 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cresco (-92.11405, 43.38136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.97 | $41.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.94 | $45.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.15 | $52.30 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.