How far is Iowa City, IA from Des Moines, IA?

Fastest route

The distance between Iowa City, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa, is approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers). The fastest route is via I-80 W, and the estimated travel time is about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Below are the directions to reach your destination.

Directions

  1. 🚗 Head north on S Clinton St toward E Burlington St.
  2. 🛣️ Turn right onto E Jefferson St.
  3. 🚦 Turn left at the 1st cross street onto N Dubuque St.
  4. 🛣️ Use the left 2 lanes to turn left and merge onto I-80 W toward Des Moines.
  5. 🛣️ Follow I-80 W until you reach Day St in Des Moines.
  6. 🛣️ Take exit 8A from I-235 W.
  7. 🛣️ Use the left lane to take exit 137A and merge onto I-235 W toward Des Moines.
  8. 🛣️ Use the 2nd lane from the right to take exit 8A toward Mercy/Downtown/Des Moines/Iowa Events Ctr.
  9. 🛣️ Use the left lane and follow signs for 5th Ave/Iowa Events Ctr/6th Ave/7th St.
  10. 🛣️ Take 7th St to Locust St.
  11. 🚦 Slight left to stay on Day St.
  12. 🚦 Use any lane to turn left onto 7th St.
  13. 🚦 Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Locust St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🛣️ Follow the directions carefully to stay on the fastest route.
  • ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
  • 🚗 Consider checking for traffic updates before starting the trip.
  • 📱 Use navigation apps for real-time guidance and traffic information.
  • 🥤 Carry snacks and water to stay refreshed during the drive.

FAQs

Q: What is the total distance between Iowa City and Des Moines? A: The total distance is approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers).

Q: How long will it take to travel from Iowa City to Des Moines? A: The estimated travel time is about 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Q: Which route should I take to get from Iowa City to Des Moines? A: The fastest route is via I-80 W.

Q: Are there any specific exits I need to take during the journey? A: Yes, you should take exit 8A from I-235 W in Des Moines.

Q: What are some tips for a smooth road trip between the two cities? A: Make sure to follow the directions carefully, keep an eye on traffic updates, and consider using navigation apps for guidance.

Distance by Flight

Shortest distance between Iowa City and Des Moines is 107.44 miles (172.91 km).

Flight distance from Iowa City, IA to Des Moines, IA is 107.44 miles. Estimated flight time is 00 hours 13 minutes.

It takes 00 hours 12 minutes to travel from Iowa City to Des Moines with an airplane (average speed of 550 miles).

Driving distance

The driving distance from Iowa City, Iowa to Des Moines, Iowa is: 113.86 miles (183.24 km) by car.

Driving from Iowa City to Des Moines will take approximately 01 hours 46 minutes.

Des Moines image
#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa. It is located on the Iowa River in eastern Iowa. Iowa City is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the University of Iowa campus and the Iowa City Public Library.

Population 75130
GPS Coordinates 41°39'40"N 91°31'49"W
Latitude 41.6611300
Longitude -91.5301700
Altitude 204
Country United States
Des Moines image
#2 Des Moines

The capital of Iowa. It is located in central Iowa. Des Moines is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many outdoor activities, and its many attractions, such as the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and the Science Center of Iowa.

Population 212312
GPS Coordinates 41°36'2"N 93°36'33"W
Latitude 41.6005400
Longitude -93.6091100
Altitude 266
Country United States

Estimated Travel Time Between Iowa City and Des Moines

The distance between Iowa City and Des Moines is 183 km if you choose to drive by road. You can go 02 hours 02 minutes if you drive your car at an average speed of 90 kilometers / hour. For different choices, please review the avg. speed travel time table on the below.

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Des Moines. The current time is 07:44:02.

Average Speed Travel Time
30 mph (48.3 km/h) 03 hours 47 minutes
40 mph (64.37 km/h) 02 hours 50 minutes
50 mph (80.47 km/h) 02 hours 16 minutes
60 mph (96.56 km/h) 01 hours 53 minutes
70 mph (112.65 km/h) 01 hours 37 minutes
75 mph (120.7 km/h) 01 hours 31 minutes
80 mph (128.75 km/h) 01 hours 25 minutes

Gas Consumption

A car with a fuel efficiency of 8.3 l/100 km will need 15.21 liters (4.02 gallon) of gas to cover the route between Iowa City and Des Moines.
The estimated cost of gas to go from Iowa City to Des Moines is $13.2 (diesel $18.67).

Iowa gas prices.

Gasoline Mid Grade Premium Diesel
Gallon $3.29 $3.6 $4.06 $4.65
Total $13.2 $14.46 $16.33 $18.67

Take a look at our Gas Cost Calculator feature. It will figure out how much it will cost to drive this particular distance.

The average gas price (in Iowa ) per gallon of daily gas for calculations is $3.285 (Diesel $4.648) /gallon. Last changed prices on March 28, 2024.

How did we calculate the distance?

The place names are translated into coordinates to approximate the distance between Iowa City and Des Moines (latitude and longitude). Cities, states, and countries each have their own regional center. The Haversine formula is used to measure the radius.

Distance to Other Cities

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Driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Iowa City 90.44 miles (146 km)

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Driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City 31.03 miles (50 km)

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Driving distance from Clinton, IA to Iowa City 86.62 miles (139 km)

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Driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Iowa City 241.37 miles (388 km)

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Driving distance from Davenport, IA to Iowa City 58.19 miles (94 km)

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Driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Iowa City 84.2 miles (136 km)

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Driving distance from Indiana, IA to Iowa City 107.76 miles (173 km)

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Driving distance from Marion, IA to Iowa City 33.45 miles (54 km)

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Driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Iowa City 92.23 miles (148 km)

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