How far is Iowa City, IA from Forest City, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Forest City, IA is about 195 miles (313.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 50m 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 55m.
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.
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 Forest City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Forest City.
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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
87 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right
2066 ft · 59 sec
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18
Turn left onto 300th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · 300th Street
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19
Turn right onto Grouse Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · Grouse Avenue
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20
Continue on 310th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 310th Street
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21
Turn right onto Balsam Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Balsam Avenue
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22
Turn left onto 330th Street
8 mi · 11 min · 330th Street
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23
Turn right
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
24
Turn left onto East J Street
1114 ft · 28 sec · East J Street
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25
Turn left onto South 4th Street
109 m · 16 sec · South 4th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Forest City.
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
87 mi · 01h 40m
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 Forest City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Forest City?
The road trip is about 195 miles (313.8 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Janesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from Iowa City and 97.6 miles from Forest City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.8 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 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 Forest City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Forest City. Straight-line distance: 154.18 mi (248.13 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 Forest City
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 4,025 |
| Coordinates | 43.2624600, -93.6371600 |
| Altitude | 383 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest City (-93.63716, 43.26246)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.26 | $58.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.02 | $64.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
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.