How far is Iowa City, IA from Onawa, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Onawa, IA is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.4 miles (380.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Onawa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Onawa.
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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
40 mi · 43 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 175: Onaea, Decatur Nebraska
1891 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn right onto State Highway 175
1 km · 56 sec · State Highway 175
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12
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
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13
Turn right onto 10th Street
9 m · 1 sec · 10th Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 10th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Onawa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Onawa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Onawa?
The road trip is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?
De Soto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.3 miles from Iowa City and 138.8 miles from Onawa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.4 miles (380.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 6:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.88 one way or $73.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Onawa.
Stop Ideas Near De Soto
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 De Soto.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Onawa. Straight-line distance: 236.4 mi (380.45 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 Onawa
City in Iowa
| Population | 2,766 |
| Coordinates | 42.0266500, -96.0972400 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Onawa (-96.09724, 42.02665)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 446 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.88 | $73.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.52 | $91.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.87 | $103.75 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.