How far is Iowa City, IA from Gilbert, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Gilbert, IA is about 134.2 miles (216 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Gilbert.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Gilbert.
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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
16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama
33.7 mi · 40 min
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10
Continue on Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
2992 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
1758 ft · 45 sec
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14
Turn left onto East 13th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East 13th Street
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15
Turn right onto Dayton Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Dayton Avenue
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16
Turn left onto East Riverside Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · East Riverside Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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18
Turn left onto 170th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · 170th Street
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19
Continue on East Mathews Drive
157 m · 14 sec · East Mathews Drive
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mathews Drive
35 m · 3 sec · Mathews Drive
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Mathews Drive
2644 ft · 1 min · Mathews Drive
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 170th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Gilbert.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 01h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Gilbert.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Gilbert?
The road trip is about 134.2 miles (216 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67 miles from Iowa City and 67.2 miles from Gilbert.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.3 miles (182.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.87 one way or $35.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Gilbert.
Stop Ideas Near Tama
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tama.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Gilbert. Straight-line distance: 113.29 mi (182.32 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 Gilbert
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,152 |
| Coordinates | 42.1069300, -93.6496600 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gilbert (-93.64966, 42.10693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 216 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.87 | $35.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.16 | $40.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.14 | $50.28 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.