How far is Iowa City, IA from Ida Grove, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Ida Grove, IA is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 207.8 miles (334.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
251.59 mi
04h 57m
Flight
207.79 mi
334.41 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
207.79 mi
Kilometers
334.41 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
251.59 mi
Kilometers
404.89 km
Drive Time
04h 57m

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 04h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ida Grove
Wed, May 13, 1:11 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Wed, May 13, 6:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-05-12T20:14
Arrive Ida Grove
Wed, May 13, 1:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:06 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Iowa City
125.6 mi
02h 28m
To Ida Grove
126 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Ida Grove.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Ida Grove.

  1. 1

    Start on South Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2315 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Continue on 160th Street

    1.7 mi · 2 min · 160th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Market Avenue

    8.2 mi · 11 min · Market Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 240th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Keystone Avenue

    1198 ft · 31 sec · Keystone Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1584 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Moorehead Avenue

    3278 ft · 2 min · Moorehead Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 2nd Street

    34 m · 2 sec · 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Ida Grove.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
231 mi · 92%
Market Avenue
8.24 mi · 3%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 2%
240th Street
1.96 mi · 1%
160th Street
1.67 mi · 1%
I 380
0.96 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

160 mi · 03h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.8 mi
207.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
02h 28m from Iowa City
Leave By
7:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Ida Grove.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Ida Grove?

The road trip is about 251.6 miles (404.9 km) and usually takes 04h 57m 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 125.6 miles from Iowa City and 126 miles from Ida Grove.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 207.8 miles (334.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.8 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 7:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.49 one way or $66.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Ida Grove.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Ida Grove. Straight-line distance: 207.79 mi (334.41 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Ida Grove

#2 Ida Grove

City in Ida County, Iowa, United States

Population2,037
Coordinates42.3449900, -95.4716700
Altitude376
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Ida Grove (-95.47167, 42.34499)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 405 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.88 gal
33.61 L · about $33.49
Round trip
$66.97
17.76 gal · 67.22 L
Estimated CO2
78.9 kg one way
Round trip: 157.8 kg / 348 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.49 $66.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.77 $75.53
Premium $4.65 $41.33 $82.66
Diesel $5.30 $47.10 $94.20

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Ida Grove. The current time is 20:14:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.