How far is Muscatine, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Muscatine, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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 00h 51m.
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 Morgan County, Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscatine and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscatine and Iowa City.
-
1
Start on Walnut Street
566 ft · 25 sec · Walnut Street
-
2
Turn left onto East 5th Street
109 m · 12 sec · East 5th Street
-
3
Turn right onto Cedar Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Cedar Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cedar Street
24 m · 2 sec · Cedar Street
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto Cedar Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Cedar Street
-
6
Continue on State Highway 22
9.4 mi · 14 min · State Highway 22
-
7
Turn straight onto State Highway 70
5.5 mi · 8 min · State Highway 70
-
8
Turn straight onto South Park Avenue
2012 ft · 34 sec · South Park Avenue
-
9
Continue on East A Street
999 ft · 19 sec · East A Street
-
10
Turn right onto South Columbus Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Columbus Street
-
11
Continue on East Rainbow Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · East Rainbow Drive
-
12
Continue on Highway 6 Southeast
4.8 mi · 7 min · Highway 6 Southeast
-
13
Continue on Highway 6 East
2.8 mi · 5 min · Highway 6 East
-
14
Turn right onto South Gilbert Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscatine 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.
State Highway 22
Continue on State Highway 22
9.37 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Muscatine 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 Muscatine to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
West Liberty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Muscatine and 24.7 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30 miles (48.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 4:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Muscatine and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near West Liberty
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 West Liberty.
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscatine and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 30.02 mi (48.32 km).
#1 Muscatine
City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa
| Population | 23,523 |
| Coordinates | 41.4244700, -91.0432100 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| 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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.66 | $11.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.96 | $15.91 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.