How far is Mount Vernon, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Mount Vernon, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19 miles (30.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mount Vernon and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon and Iowa City.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn left
20 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn left onto 1st Street East
70 m · 14 sec · 1st Street East
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4
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
2046 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue South
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5
Continue on State Highway 1
690 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 1
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
37 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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7
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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8
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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9
Continue on North Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Market Street
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10
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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11
Continue on North Dodge Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · North Dodge Street
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12
Turn right onto Church Street
1200 ft · 38 sec · Church Street
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13
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
2492 ft · 2 min · North Gilbert Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Vernon and Iowa City.
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.
Highway 1 Northeast
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.46 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Solon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.6 miles from Mount Vernon and 10.6 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19 miles (30.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.83 one way or $5.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Vernon and Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Solon
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 Solon.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Vernon and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 18.95 mi (30.49 km).
#1 Mount Vernon
City in Linn County, Iowa
| Population | 4,528 |
| Coordinates | 41.9219500, -91.4168400 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.83 | $5.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.19 | $6.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.49 | $6.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.98 | $7.96 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.