How far is Iowa City, IA from Missouri Valley, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Missouri Valley, IA is about 239.8 miles (386 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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 27m.
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.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
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 Missouri Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Missouri Valley.
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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
119.9 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
16.7 mi · 18 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2271 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left
73 m · 3 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Loveland
1934 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Desoto Avenue
1522 ft · 48 sec · Desoto Avenue
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Lincoln Highway
2978 ft · 46 sec · Old Lincoln Highway
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13
Continue on Loess Hills Trail
3.1 mi · 4 min · Loess Hills Trail
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14
Continue on South 6th Street
2367 ft · 1 min · South 6th Street
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15
Turn left onto East Erie Street
2 m · 1 sec · East Erie Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Erie Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Missouri Valley.
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
120 mi · 02h 11m
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 Missouri Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Missouri Valley?
The road trip is about 239.8 miles (386 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.6 miles from Iowa City and 120.2 miles from Missouri Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.2 miles (362.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 8:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.90 one way or $63.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.2 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 Missouri Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Missouri Valley. Straight-line distance: 225.21 mi (362.44 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 Missouri Valley
City in Harrison County, Iowa
| Population | 2,576 |
| Coordinates | 41.5563800, -95.8877900 |
| Altitude | 310 |
| Country | United States |
End: Missouri Valley (-95.88779, 41.55638)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 386 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.90 | $63.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.98 | $71.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.37 | $78.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.87 | $89.74 |
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.