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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Tama, IA is about 71.6 miles (115.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
71.65 mi
01h 29m
Flight
57.89 mi
93.16 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.89 mi
Kilometers
93.16 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.65 mi
Kilometers
115.31 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 01h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tama
Thu, May 7, 11:45 PM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Fri, May 8, 1:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-05-07T22:16
Arrive Tama
Thu, May 7, 11:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Atkins
IA

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

From Iowa City
35.8 mi
00h 44m
To Tama
35.9 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

    33.7 mi · 40 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    12 mi · 14 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    2160 ft · 59 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · East 5th Street

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Street

    1065 ft · 18 sec · State Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 West
33.7 mi · 47%
Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 22%
Lincoln Highway
12.4 mi · 17%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 7%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
East 5th Street
0.81 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 30 West

Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

33.7 mi · 00h 40m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.7 mi
57.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atkins
00h 44m from Iowa City
Leave By
3:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny near Tama.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 71.6 miles (115.3 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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?

Atkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.8 miles from Iowa City and 35.9 miles from Tama.

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

The direct path is about 57.9 miles (93.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.54 one way or $19.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny near Tama.

Stop Ideas Near Atkins

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Atkins, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atkins.

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

117 mi away
418 North Adams Street
RAIL

Ottumwa station

118 mi away
210 West Main Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

119 mi away
304 West River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Tama. Straight-line distance: 57.89 mi (93.16 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Tama

City in Tokyo, Japan

Population2,723
Coordinates41.9666600, -92.5768600
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Tama (-92.57686, 41.96666)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.53 gal
9.57 L · about $9.54
Round trip
$19.08
5.06 gal · 19.14 L
Estimated CO2
22.5 kg one way
Round trip: 45 kg / 99 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.54 $19.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.76 $21.52
Premium $4.65 $11.77 $23.55
Diesel $5.30 $13.42 $26.84

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 08, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Tama. The current time is 22:16:04.

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.