How far is Iowa City, IA from Red Oak, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Red Oak, IA is about 232 miles (373.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.9 miles (316.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m 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 04h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Red Oak.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Red Oak.
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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
62.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1922 ft · 49 sec
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8
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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9
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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10
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 20 sec · White Pole Road
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11
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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12
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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13
Continue on White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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14
Turn left onto 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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15
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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16
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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17
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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18
Continue on 110 Street
14 mi · 21 min · 110 Street
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19
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
2305 ft · 2 min · West Hammond Street
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20
Turn right onto North 7th Street
91 m · 15 sec · North 7th Street
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21
Turn right onto East Reed Street
100 m · 14 sec · East Reed Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Reed Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Red Oak.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Red Oak?
The road trip is about 232 miles (373.3 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Johnston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.8 miles from Iowa City and 116.2 miles from Red Oak.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.9 miles (316.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.85 one way or $61.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Stop Ideas Near Johnston
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 Johnston.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Red Oak. Straight-line distance: 196.91 mi (316.89 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 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Oak (-95.22555, 41.00972)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 373 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.85 | $61.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.79 | $69.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.07 | $76.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.39 | $86.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.