How far is Iowa City, IA from Palo, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Palo, IA is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Palo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Palo.
-
1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
-
2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
-
3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
-
4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama
6 mi · 8 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.3 km · 57 sec
-
11
Continue straight
3 mi · 3 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Covington, Cedar Rapids
1567 ft · 47 sec
-
13
Turn left onto Covington Road
4 mi · 7 min · Covington Road
-
14
Turn right onto 1st Street
2695 ft · 2 min · 1st Street
-
15
Turn right onto Vinton Street
26 m · 4 sec · Vinton Street
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vinton Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Palo.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Palo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Palo?
The road trip is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Shueyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Iowa City and 19.1 miles from Palo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.1 miles (50.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.05 one way or $10.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Palo.
Stop Ideas Near Shueyville
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 Shueyville.
Davenport, Iowa
Mount Pleasant
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Palo. Straight-line distance: 31.13 mi (50.1 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 Palo
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0661100, -91.7954600 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palo (-91.79546, 42.06611)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.05 | $10.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.70 | $11.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.24 | $12.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.11 | $14.21 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.