How far is Iowa City, IA from Sheldon, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Sheldon, IA is about 310.2 miles (499.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 17m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Sheldon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Sheldon.
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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
4.1 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
159.2 mi · 3 hr 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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11
Continue on 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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13
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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14
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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15
Continue on V Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 3
1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3
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17
Turn straight onto 530th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street
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18
Turn right onto State Highway 3
4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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19
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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21
Continue on 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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22
Turn right onto Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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23
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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24
Continue on Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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25
Turn left onto 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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26
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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27
Continue on 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
-
28
Turn right onto Log Avenue
5.5 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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29
Turn right
7.1 mi · 8 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
1660 ft · 44 sec
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31
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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32
Turn right onto 9th Street
8 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Sheldon.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
159 mi · 03h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Sheldon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Sheldon?
The road trip is about 310.2 miles (499.2 km) and usually takes 06h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from Iowa City and 155.3 miles from Sheldon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.9 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.29 one way or $82.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Sheldon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Sheldon. Straight-line distance: 244.32 mi (393.2 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 Sheldon
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,071 |
| Coordinates | 43.1810900, -95.8561300 |
| Altitude | 435 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sheldon (-95.85613, 43.18109)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 499 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.29 | $82.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.57 | $93.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.96 | $101.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.08 | $116.16 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.