How far is Iowa City, IA from Jefferson, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Jefferson, IA is about 171.3 miles (275.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 23m.
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 Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Jefferson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Jefferson.
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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
115.9 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Urbandale, Grimes
2133 ft · 54 sec
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7
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
60 m · 3 sec · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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8
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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9
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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11
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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12
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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13
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.7 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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14
Turn right onto State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
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15
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
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16
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
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17
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
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18
Continue on South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
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19
Turn left onto West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Jefferson.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
North Dubuque Street
Merge slight left
116 mi · 02h 06m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Jefferson?
The road trip is about 171.3 miles (275.7 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Lambs Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.4 miles from Iowa City and 85.8 miles from Jefferson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.6 miles (239.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.78 one way or $45.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Jefferson.
Stop Ideas Near Lambs Grove
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 Lambs Grove.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 148.59 mi (239.13 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 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jefferson (-94.37747, 42.01526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.78 | $45.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.