How far is Iowa City, IA from Le Mars, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Le Mars, IA is about 300.5 miles (483.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 58m 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 05h 59m.
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.
Township in Hamilton County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Le Mars.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Le Mars.
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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
160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Continue on 160th Street
6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street
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11
Continue on United States Highway 20
1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20
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12
Continue on Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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13
Turn right onto Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
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14
Continue on Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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15
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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16
Continue on East 3rd Street
2663 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Street
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17
Turn right onto Main Street
1311 ft · 45 sec · Main Street
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18
Continue on County Highway C66
1.3 km · 1 min · County Highway C66
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19
Turn straight onto 310th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 310th Street
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20
Turn straight onto County Road C66
2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road C66
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21
Turn left onto C 60
2 mi · 3 min · C 60
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22
Turn right onto Oyens Avenue
7 mi · 10 min · Oyens Avenue
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23
Continue on County Road K64
5 mi · 7 min · County Road K64
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24
Turn left onto State Highway 3
4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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25
Continue on Lincoln Street Northeast
1.1 km · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast
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26
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
617 ft · 18 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast
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27
Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast
1719 ft · 59 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Le Mars.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Le Mars.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Le Mars?
The road trip is about 300.5 miles (483.6 km) and usually takes 05h 59m 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?
Blairsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150 miles from Iowa City and 150.5 miles from Le Mars.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.8 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 5:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.97 one way or $79.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Sunny near Le Mars.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Le Mars. Straight-line distance: 249.7 mi (401.86 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 Le Mars
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 10,195 |
| Coordinates | 42.7941600, -96.1655800 |
| Altitude | 376 |
| Country | United States |
End: Le Mars (-96.16558, 42.79416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 484 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.97 | $79.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.08 | $90.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.33 | $98.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.22 | $112.44 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.