How far is Iowa City, IA from Lake City, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Lake City, IA is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 17m 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 04h 08m.
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 Marshall County, Iowa, United States of America
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 Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Lake 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
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
78.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Continue on 220th Street
23.1 mi · 30 min · 220th Street
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12
Turn right onto 9th Street North
919 ft · 17 sec · 9th Street North
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13
Continue on U Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · U Avenue
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14
Continue on Mc Intyre Street
1 km · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
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15
Continue on U Avenue
6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
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16
Continue on Indiana Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Indiana Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 360th Street
14.9 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
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18
Continue on 5th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 5th Street
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19
Continue on 360th Street
7 mi · 10 min · 360th Street
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20
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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21
Turn right onto North Center Street
14 m · 2 sec · North Center Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Lake City.
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
78.3 mi · 01h 31m
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 Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Lake City?
The road trip is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
State Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.7 miles from Iowa City and 100.1 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 8:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.59 one way or $53.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 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 Lake City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 169.83 mi (273.31 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 Lake City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2674800, -94.7338700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-94.73387, 42.26748)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 322 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.59 | $53.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.98 | $59.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.81 | $65.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.39 | $74.79 |
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.