How far is Madrid, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Madrid, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 15m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madrid and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madrid and Iowa City.
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1
Start on East 1st Street
2068 ft · 39 sec · East 1st Street
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2
Turn right onto South Kennedy Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · South Kennedy Avenue
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3
Continue on State Highway 17
1284 ft · 21 sec · State Highway 17
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4
Continue on Y Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · Y Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Northwest Madrid Drive
6.5 mi · 9 min · Northwest Madrid Drive
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6
Continue on North Broadway Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Broadway Street
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7
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
3016 ft · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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8
Continue on Northwest Polk City Drive
4.3 mi · 6 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
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9
Continue on Northwest 35th Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · Northwest 35th Street
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10
Continue on Northwest 78th Avenue
2614 ft · 45 sec · Northwest 78th Avenue
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11
Continue on Southwest Oralabor Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Southwest Oralabor Road
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12
Turn right onto Southwest State Street
1 mi · 1 min · Southwest State Street
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13
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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14
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
2428 ft · 59 sec
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15
Merge slight left
2853 ft · 37 sec
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16
Continue straight
3105 ft · 41 sec
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17
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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19
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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20
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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21
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madrid and Iowa City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-35 north
Keep slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Madrid and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madrid to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Oakland Acres is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from Madrid and 71 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.1 miles (191.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.29 one way or $36.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madrid and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Oakland Acres
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oakland Acres.
Ottumwa station
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madrid and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 119.1 mi (191.67 km).
#1 Madrid
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,550 |
| Coordinates | 41.8766500, -93.8232800 |
| Altitude | 310 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 221 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.63 | $41.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.57 | $45.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.72 | $51.45 |
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 · Aug 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.