How far is Iowa City, IA from Emmetsburg, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Emmetsburg, IA is about 247.3 miles (398 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.6 miles (305.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m 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 05h 00m.
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.
Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Emmetsburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Emmetsburg.
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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
70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
122.5 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
2133 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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13
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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14
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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15
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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16
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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17
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street
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18
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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19
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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20
Continue on Broadway Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street
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21
Turn left onto Main Street
1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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22
Turn right onto Lawler Street
101 m · 12 sec · Lawler Street
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23
Turn left onto 8th Street
27 m · 4 sec · 8th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Emmetsburg.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
123 mi · 02h 21m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Emmetsburg?
The road trip is about 247.3 miles (398 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?
Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.5 miles from Iowa City and 123.8 miles from Emmetsburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.6 miles (305.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.7 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 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.92 one way or $65.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.6 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 Emmetsburg.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Emmetsburg. Straight-line distance: 189.58 mi (305.1 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 Emmetsburg
City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.1127400, -94.6830400 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Emmetsburg (-94.68304, 43.11274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 398 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.30 | $92.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.