How far is Iowa City, IA from Dallas Center, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Dallas Center, IA is about 131.4 miles (211.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.5 miles (201.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m 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
131.41 mi
02h 34m
Flight
125.46 mi
201.91 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
125.46 mi
Kilometers
201.91 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.41 mi
Kilometers
211.48 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dallas Center
Sat, Apr 18, 6:33 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 9:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-18T03:58
Arrive Dallas Center
Sat, Apr 18, 6:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:22 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
Oakland Acres
IA

City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States

From Iowa City
65.6 mi
01h 17m
To Dallas Center
65.9 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Dallas Center.

  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

    115.9 mi · 2 hr 6 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes

    2133 ft · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive

    60 m · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Southeast 19th Street

    1 mi · 3 min · Southeast 19th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South James Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South James Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West 1st Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 240th Street

    5.4 mi · 7 min · 240th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Sugar Grove Avenue

    2990 ft · 1 min · Sugar Grove Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 14th Street

    1411 ft · 55 sec · 14th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Walnut Street

    10 m · 2 sec · Walnut Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Dubuque Street
117 mi · 89%
240th Street
5.36 mi · 4%
West 1st Street
2.7 mi · 2%
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.53 mi · 1%
South James Street
1.07 mi · 1%
Southeast 19th Street
1.03 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Dubuque Street

Merge slight left

116 mi · 02h 06m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.9 mi
125.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oakland Acres
01h 17m from Iowa City
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dallas Center.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Dallas Center?

The road trip is about 131.4 miles (211.5 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?

Oakland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.6 miles from Iowa City and 65.9 miles from Dallas Center.

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

The direct path is about 125.5 miles (201.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.50 one way or $34.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dallas Center.

Stop Ideas Near Oakland Acres

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Oakland Acres, 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 Oakland Acres.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

85 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

109 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Dallas Center. Straight-line distance: 125.46 mi (201.91 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Dallas Center

#2 Dallas Center

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,822
Coordinates41.6844300, -93.9610600
Altitude326
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Dallas Center (-93.96106, 41.68443)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.64 gal
17.55 L · about $17.50
Round trip
$34.99
9.28 gal · 35.1 L
Estimated CO2
41.2 kg one way
Round trip: 82.5 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.50 $34.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.73 $39.47
Premium $4.65 $21.59 $43.19
Diesel $5.30 $24.61 $49.22

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 Dallas Center. The current time is 03:58:44.

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.