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

The driving distance from Iowa Falls, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.4 miles (171.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 22m 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
133.38 mi
02h 11m
Flight
106.43 mi
171.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
106.43 mi
Kilometers
171.29 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
133.38 mi
Kilometers
214.66 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Wed, Apr 22, 11:45 PM CDT
Return by in Iowa Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 1:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa Falls
2026-04-22T21:34
Arrive Iowa City
Wed, Apr 22, 11:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa Falls
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 Falls
67.3 mi
01h 05m
To Iowa City
66.1 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Commercial Street

    101 m · 11 sec · Commercial Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Rocksylvania Avenue

    2967 ft · 1 min · East Rocksylvania Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    5.1 mi · 9 min · Oak Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 20 East

    2164 ft · 53 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    55.9 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 49%
US 20 East
56.4 mi · 42%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 4%
Oak Street
5.12 mi · 4%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

64.7 mi · 01h 12m

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 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27 mi
106.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilbertville
01h 05m from Iowa Falls
Leave By
2:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Iowa Falls and Sunny near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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 67.3 miles from Iowa Falls and 66.1 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 106.4 miles (171.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 2:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.76 one way or $35.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa Falls and Sunny near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa Falls and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 106.43 mi (171.29 km).

Iowa Falls

#1 Iowa Falls

City in Iowa, United States

Population4,940
Coordinates42.5224800, -93.2513100
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Iowa City

#2 Iowa City

The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.

Population75,130
Coordinates41.6611300, -91.5301700
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: Commercial Street (-93.25201, 42.522467)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 215 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.71 gal
17.82 L · about $17.76
Round trip
$35.52
9.42 gal · 35.64 L
Estimated CO2
41.9 kg one way
Round trip: 83.7 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.76 $35.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.03 $40.06
Premium $4.65 $21.92 $43.84
Diesel $5.30 $24.98 $49.96

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

There is no time difference between Iowa Falls and Iowa City. The current time is 21:34:28.

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.