How far is Iowa City, IA from West Union, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to West Union, IA is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91 miles (146.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m 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
106.81 mi
02h 23m
Flight
91.05 mi
146.53 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
91.05 mi
Kilometers
146.53 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.81 mi
Kilometers
171.89 km
Drive Time
02h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Union
Wed, Apr 29, 4:20 PM CDT
Return by in Iowa City
Wed, Apr 29, 6:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa City
2026-04-29T13:57
Arrive West Union
Wed, Apr 29, 4:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:44 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
Urbana
IA

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

From Iowa City
53.4 mi
01h 11m
To West Union
53.4 mi
01h 11m

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
39°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and West Union.

  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

    42.8 mi · 48 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton

    2017 ft · 50 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 31st Avenue

    3.6 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 1st Street East

    647 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street East

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  15. 15

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Main Street South

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street South

  18. 18

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Palace Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Rock Island Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Rock Island Road

  21. 21

    Continue on 1st Avenue Southeast

    1413 ft · 28 sec · 1st Avenue Southeast

  22. 22

    Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast

    778 ft · 13 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Highway 150

    134 m · 7 sec · Highway 150

  24. 24

    Continue on North Frederick Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Frederick Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Palace Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Palace Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 60th Street

    2177 ft · 37 sec · 60th Street

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto P Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · P Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Main Street West

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street West

  29. 29

    Continue on 100th Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto K Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · K Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150

  32. 32

    Continue on Lincoln Road

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road

  33. 33

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 150

  34. 34

    Continue on State Highway 150

    49 m · 7 sec · State Highway 150

  35. 35

    Turn slight right onto West Bradford Street

    1539 ft · 28 sec · West Bradford Street

  36. 36

    Turn right onto North Vine Street

    160 m · 23 sec · North Vine Street

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Vine Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
37 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
42.8 mi · 40%
Jamestown Avenue
14.7 mi · 14%
Lincoln Road
7.08 mi · 7%
Jackson Avenue
6.54 mi · 6%
North Dubuque Street
5.22 mi · 5%
K Avenue
4.03 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

42.8 mi · 00h 48m

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 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.8 mi
91 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Urbana
01h 11m from Iowa City
Leave By
1:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Iowa City and Chance Rain Showers near West Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to West Union?

The road trip is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?

Urbana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.4 miles from Iowa City and 53.4 miles from West Union.

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

The direct path is about 91 miles (146.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 1:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.22 one way or $28.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and West Union. Straight-line distance: 91.05 mi (146.53 km).

Iowa City

#1 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
West Union

#2 West Union

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,270
Coordinates42.9627600, -91.8082200
Altitude362
CountryUnited States
Start: Iowa City (-91.53017, 41.66113)
End: West Union (-91.80822, 42.96276)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 172 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.77 gal
14.27 L · about $14.22
Round trip
$28.43
7.54 gal · 28.54 L
Estimated CO2
33.5 kg one way
Round trip: 67 kg / 148 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.22 $28.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.03 $32.07
Premium $4.65 $17.55 $35.09
Diesel $5.30 $20.00 $39.99

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 West Union. The current time is 13:57:29.

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.