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

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Washington, IA is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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
142.43 mi
02h 58m
Flight
116.52 mi
187.52 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
116.52 mi
Kilometers
187.52 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.43 mi
Kilometers
229.22 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Washington
Wed, Apr 29, 7:39 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Wed, Apr 29, 10:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-29T04:40
Arrive Washington
Wed, Apr 29, 7:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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
Gilbertville
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America.

From Iowa City
71.1 mi
01h 29m
To Washington
71.3 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
40°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Continue on West Washington Expressway

    1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    15 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    2013 ft · 56 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 230th Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 230th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 3

    3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 3

  20. 20

    Continue on 210th Street

    8.8 mi · 12 min · 210th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  22. 22

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  23. 23

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  25. 25

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  26. 26

    Continue on Central Avenue East

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue East

  27. 27

    Continue on State Highway 3

    2.6 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · State Highway 3

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
86.1 mi · 60%
210th Street
18 mi · 13%
State Highway 3
15.1 mi · 11%
I-380 north
5.63 mi · 4%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 4%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.35 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.8 mi · 01h 19m

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
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.9 mi
116.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilbertville
01h 29m from Iowa City
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers near Washington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Gilbertville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Iowa City and 71.3 miles from Washington.

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

The direct path is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.97 one way or $37.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers near Washington.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Washington. Straight-line distance: 116.52 mi (187.52 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

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

#2 Washington

City in Franklin County, Missouri

Population7,206
Coordinates42.7477500, -93.2713100
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: Washington (-93.27131, 42.74775)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.03 gal
19.03 L · about $18.97
Round trip
$37.94
10.06 gal · 38.06 L
Estimated CO2
44.7 kg one way
Round trip: 89.4 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.97 $37.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.39 $42.79
Premium $4.65 $23.41 $46.82
Diesel $5.30 $26.68 $53.36

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Iowa City and Washington. The current time is 04:40:57.

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.