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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Traer, IA is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 60.5 miles (97.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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
80.43 mi
01h 44m
Flight
60.54 mi
97.43 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
60.54 mi
Kilometers
97.43 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.43 mi
Kilometers
129.44 km
Drive Time
01h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Traer
Fri, May 8, 12:11 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Fri, May 8, 1:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-05-07T22:27
Arrive Traer
Fri, May 8, 12:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:02 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
Newhall
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Iowa City
40.2 mi
00h 52m
To Traer
40.3 mi
00h 52m

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

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    32.9 mi · 39 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    2011 ft · 56 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    14.9 mi · 21 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 58th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 58th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 8

    5.8 mi · 8 min · State Highway 8

  14. 14

    Continue on 2nd Street

    2932 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    22 m · 3 sec · South Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 West
33.2 mi · 41%
Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 20%
State Highway 8
5.75 mi · 7%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 6%
58th Street
2.49 mi · 3%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 30 West

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

32.9 mi · 00h 39m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
60.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newhall
00h 52m from Iowa City
Leave By
3:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Traer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?

Newhall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.2 miles from Iowa City and 40.3 miles from Traer.

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

The direct path is about 60.5 miles (97.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.71 one way or $21.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Mostly Sunny near Traer.

Stop Ideas Near Newhall

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newhall, 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 Newhall.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

115 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

119 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Traer. Straight-line distance: 60.54 mi (97.43 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Traer

City in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,585
Coordinates42.1936000, -92.4654700
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Traer (-92.46547, 42.1936)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.84 gal
10.74 L · about $10.71
Round trip
$21.42
5.68 gal · 21.48 L
Estimated CO2
25.2 kg one way
Round trip: 50.5 kg / 111 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.71 $21.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.08 $24.16
Premium $4.65 $13.22 $26.43
Diesel $5.30 $15.06 $30.13

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 Traer. The current time is 22:27:14.

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.