How far is Iowa City, IA from Estherville, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Estherville, IA is about 265.1 miles (426.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.7 miles (332.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 04m 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 32m.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Estherville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Estherville.
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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 right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
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11
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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12
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
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13
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
92.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right
2004 ft · 56 sec
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18
Turn left onto State Highway 9
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 9
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19
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
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20
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
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21
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Avenue
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22
Continue on State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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23
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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24
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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26
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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27
Continue on 1st Avenue East
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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28
Continue on State Highway 9
6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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29
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9
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30
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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31
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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32
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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33
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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34
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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35
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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36
Continue on East Central Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue
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37
Turn left onto South 9th Street
45 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Estherville.
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
92.9 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Sunny leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Estherville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Estherville?
The road trip is about 265.1 miles (426.6 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Charles City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.4 miles from Iowa City and 132.7 miles from Estherville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.7 miles (332.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.4 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 5:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.26 one way or $70.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Estherville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Estherville. Straight-line distance: 206.7 mi (332.65 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 Estherville
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,587 |
| Coordinates | 43.4016300, -94.8327600 |
| Altitude | 395 |
| Country | United States |
End: Estherville (-94.83276, 43.40163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 427 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.77 | $79.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.51 | $87.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.59 | $99.18 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.