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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Nashua, IA is about 121 miles (194.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103 miles (165.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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
121.02 mi
02h 24m
Flight
102.99 mi
165.75 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
102.99 mi
Kilometers
165.75 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.02 mi
Kilometers
194.77 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 02h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 8:06 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 10:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-18T05:41
Arrive Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 8:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:40 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
Brandon
IA

City in Iowa

From Iowa City
60.5 mi
01h 12m
To Nashua
60.5 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2315 ft · 59 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Continue on West Washington Expressway

    1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    31.6 mi · 36 min · Avenue of the Saints

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    2050 ft · 57 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Sample Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Sample Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Main Street

    612 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
103 mi · 85%
I-380 north
5.63 mi · 5%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 4%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.35 mi · 2%
West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 1%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.8 mi · 01h 19m

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
02h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18 mi
103 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brandon
01h 12m from Iowa City
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Nashua.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 121 miles (194.8 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Brandon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.5 miles from Iowa City and 60.5 miles from Nashua.

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

The direct path is about 103 miles (165.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 1:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.10 one way or $32.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Nashua.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Nashua. Straight-line distance: 102.99 mi (165.75 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Nashua

City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States

Population1,571
Coordinates42.9527500, -92.5363000
Altitude297
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Nashua (-92.5363, 42.95275)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 195 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.27 gal
16.17 L · about $16.10
Round trip
$32.20
8.54 gal · 32.34 L
Estimated CO2
37.9 kg one way
Round trip: 75.9 kg / 167 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.10 $32.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.16 $36.32
Premium $4.65 $19.87 $39.75
Diesel $5.30 $22.65 $45.30

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Nashua. The current time is 05:41:40.

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.