How far is Iowa City, IA from Northwood, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Northwood, IA is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 36m 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 03h 48m.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Northwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Northwood.
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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 right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
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10
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
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11
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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12
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
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13
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
68.6 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: California Avenue
2392 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn right onto Thrush Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue
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19
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast
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20
Turn slight right onto Maple Drive
2017 ft · 56 sec · Maple Drive
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21
Turn right onto North Kentucky Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Kentucky Avenue
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22
Turn left onto 12th Street Northeast
1 mi · 2 min · 12th Street Northeast
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23
Turn right onto North Federal Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Federal Avenue
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24
Continue on Osprey Avenue
1.6 mi · 2 min · Osprey Avenue
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25
Turn straight onto Orchid Avenue
10.4 mi · 15 min · Orchid Avenue
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26
Continue on Maple Street
2947 ft · 1 min · Maple Street
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27
Continue on Orchid Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Orchid Avenue
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28
Continue on South 10th Street
1 mi · 2 min · South 10th Street
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29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
709 ft · 26 sec · Central Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Northwood.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Northwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Northwood?
The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?
Janesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.1 miles from Iowa City and 92.2 miles from Northwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 9:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.55 one way or $49.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Northwood.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Northwood. Straight-line distance: 150.27 mi (241.83 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 Northwood
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,958 |
| Coordinates | 43.4441200, -93.2210400 |
| Altitude | 375 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northwood (-93.22104, 43.44412)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 297 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.55 | $49.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.69 | $55.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.30 | $60.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.53 | $69.06 |
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.