How far is Iowa City, IA from Muscatine, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Muscatine, IA is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.93 mi
00h 56m
Flight
30.02 mi
48.32 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.02 mi
Kilometers
48.32 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.93 mi
Kilometers
57.83 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 00h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Muscatine
Thu, Apr 30, 7:23 PM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Thu, Apr 30, 8:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-30T18:26
Arrive Muscatine
Thu, Apr 30, 7:23 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
West Liberty
IA

City in Morgan County, Kentucky

From Iowa City
18 mi
00h 28m
To Muscatine
18 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Muscatine.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Muscatine.

  1. 1

    Start on South Gilbert Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · South Gilbert Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Highway 6 East

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Highway 6 East

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 6 Southeast

    4.8 mi · 7 min · Highway 6 Southeast

  4. 4

    Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on North Columbus Street

    1 mi · 2 min · North Columbus Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East A Street

    999 ft · 17 sec · East A Street

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto South Park Avenue

    2012 ft · 34 sec · South Park Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto State Highway 70

    5.5 mi · 8 min · State Highway 70

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 22

    9.4 mi · 14 min · State Highway 22

  10. 10

    Continue on Cedar Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Cedar Street

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cedar Street

    27 m · 2 sec · Cedar Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Cedar Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    109 m · 12 sec · East 5th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    566 ft · 19 sec · Walnut Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Muscatine.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 22
9.36 mi · 26%
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
7.87 mi · 22%
State Highway 70
5.46 mi · 15%
Highway 6 Southeast
4.84 mi · 13%
Highway 6 East
2.84 mi · 8%
Cedar Street
2.69 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 22

Continue on State Highway 22

9.36 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.9 mi
30 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Liberty
00h 28m from Iowa City
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Muscatine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Muscatine?

The road trip is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km) and usually takes 00h 56m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

West Liberty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Iowa City and 18 miles from Muscatine.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 30 miles (48.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.79 one way or $9.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Muscatine.

Stop Ideas Near West Liberty

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around West Liberty, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Liberty.

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

57 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

60 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

64 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

71 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Muscatine. Straight-line distance: 30.02 mi (48.32 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Muscatine

#2 Muscatine

City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa

Population23,523
Coordinates41.4244700, -91.0432100
Altitude177
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Muscatine (-91.04321, 41.42447)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.27 gal
4.8 L · about $4.79
Round trip
$9.58
2.54 gal · 9.6 L
Estimated CO2
11.3 kg one way
Round trip: 22.6 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.79 $9.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.40 $10.80
Premium $4.65 $5.91 $11.82
Diesel $5.30 $6.74 $13.47

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Muscatine. The current time is 18:26:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.