How far is Iowa City, IA from Laurens, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Laurens, IA is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 188.6 miles (303.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m 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 45m.
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 Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Laurens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Laurens.
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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 left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
122.5 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
2133 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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13
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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14
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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15
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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16
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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17
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street
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18
Continue on 220th Avenue
5.5 mi · 8 min · 220th Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Cummins Road
2 mi · 3 min · Cummins Road
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20
Continue on 450th Street
6.1 mi · 8 min · 450th Street
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21
Turn straight onto State Highway 10
1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 10
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22
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
1402 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street
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23
Turn left onto West Main Street
38 m · 4 sec · West Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Laurens.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
123 mi · 02h 21m
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 then Mostly Cloudy leaving Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Laurens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Laurens?
The road trip is about 236.7 miles (380.9 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Steamboat Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.2 miles from Iowa City and 118.5 miles from Laurens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 188.6 miles (303.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.1 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 7:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.49 one way or $62.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Laurens.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Laurens. Straight-line distance: 188.57 mi (303.48 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 Laurens
City in Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,126 |
| Coordinates | 42.8466400, -94.8519300 |
| Altitude | 399 |
| Country | United States |
End: Laurens (-94.85193, 42.84664)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.49 | $62.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.51 | $71.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.86 | $77.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
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.