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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Remsen, IA is about 291.5 miles (469.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 33m 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
291.52 mi
05h 46m
Flight
240.82 mi
387.56 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
240.82 mi
Kilometers
387.56 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
291.52 mi
Kilometers
469.16 km
Drive Time
05h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Remsen
Mon, Jun 1, 11:39 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Mon, Jun 1, 5:25 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-06-01T05:52
Arrive Remsen
Mon, Jun 1, 11:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:47 AM to 1:47 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
5:26 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Iowa City
145.5 mi
02h 53m
To Remsen
146 mi
02h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
82°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Continue on 160th Street

    6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 140

    15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    1.3 km · 2 min · State Highway 3

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    2280 ft · 2 min · Washington Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
231 mi · 79%
Highway 20
19 mi · 7%
State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 5%
160th Street
6.44 mi · 2%
Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 2%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

160 mi · 03h 05m

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
05h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.7 mi
240.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
02h 53m from Iowa City
Leave By
5:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Iowa City and Partly Sunny near Remsen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 291.5 miles (469.2 km) and usually takes 05h 46m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.5 miles from Iowa City and 146 miles from Remsen.

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

The direct path is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.7 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 5:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.80 one way or $77.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Iowa City and Partly Sunny near Remsen.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Remsen. Straight-line distance: 240.82 mi (387.56 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Remsen

City in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,607
Coordinates42.8147100, -95.9733500
Altitude405
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Remsen (-95.97335, 42.81471)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 469 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.29 gal
38.94 L · about $38.80
Round trip
$77.61
20.58 gal · 77.88 L
Estimated CO2
91.4 kg one way
Round trip: 182.9 kg / 403 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.80 $77.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.76 $87.53
Premium $4.65 $47.89 $95.78
Diesel $5.30 $54.58 $109.16

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Remsen. The current time is 05:52:14.

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.