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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Pocahontas, IA is about 221.6 miles (356.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 177 miles (284.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
221.57 mi
04h 23m
Flight
176.98 mi
284.82 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
176.98 mi
Kilometers
284.82 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
221.57 mi
Kilometers
356.58 km
Drive Time
04h 23m

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 04h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 11:27 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Sun, May 31, 3:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-05-31T07:03
Arrive Pocahontas
Sun, May 31, 11:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wellsburg
IA

Human settlement in Grundy County, Iowa, United States of America

From Iowa City
110.6 mi
02h 11m
To Pocahontas
111 mi
02h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    122.5 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    2573 ft · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Elm Avenue

    2673 ft · 51 sec · West Elm Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1019 ft · 50 sec · North Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Northwest

    22 m · 3 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue Northwest

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
193 mi · 87%
220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 5%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 2%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 2%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 1%
I 380
0.96 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

123 mi · 02h 21m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.6 mi
177 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wellsburg
02h 11m from Iowa City
Leave By
8:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocahontas.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 221.6 miles (356.6 km) and usually takes 04h 23m 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?

Wellsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.6 miles from Iowa City and 111 miles from Pocahontas.

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

The direct path is about 177 miles (284.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 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 8:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.49 one way or $58.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Iowa City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pocahontas.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Pocahontas. Straight-line distance: 176.98 mi (284.82 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Pocahontas

City in and county seat of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States

Population1,630
Coordinates42.7355300, -94.6691500
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Pocahontas (-94.66915, 42.73553)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 357 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.82 gal
29.6 L · about $29.49
Round trip
$58.98
15.64 gal · 59.2 L
Estimated CO2
69.5 kg one way
Round trip: 139 kg / 306 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.49 $58.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.26 $66.52
Premium $4.65 $36.39 $72.79
Diesel $5.30 $41.48 $82.95

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Pocahontas. The current time is 07:03:27.

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.