How far is Nora Springs, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from Nora Springs, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127 miles (204.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m 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
152.42 mi
02h 28m
Flight
127.03 mi
204.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nora Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
127.03 mi
Kilometers
204.43 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.42 mi
Kilometers
245.29 km
Drive Time
02h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Fri, May 1, 11:57 PM CDT
Return by in Nora Springs
Sat, May 2, 2:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nora Springs
2026-05-01T21:28
Arrive Iowa City
Fri, May 1, 11:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:29 AM to 12:29 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Nora Springs
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
Elk Run Heights
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America

From Nora Springs
76.1 mi
01h 14m
To Iowa City
76.4 mi
01h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph NNW
Destination
57°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nora Springs and Iowa City.

  1. 1

    Start on Iowa Avenue

    2 m · 5 sec · Iowa Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Congress Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Congress Street

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road B30

    5 mi · 9 min · County Road B30

  4. 4

    Continue on Rudd Park Road

    1 km · 1 min · Rudd Park Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints

    56.8 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Washington Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nora Springs 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
19 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
121 mi · 80%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.66 mi · 4%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 4%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 4%
County Road B30
5.03 mi · 3%
Washington Street
2.43 mi · 2%
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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.4 mi
127 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elk Run Heights
01h 14m from Nora Springs
Leave By
1:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Nora Springs 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 Nora Springs to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 152.4 miles (245.3 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?

Elk Run Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.1 miles from Nora Springs and 76.4 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 127 miles (204.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 1:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.29 one way or $40.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Nora Springs and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nora Springs and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 127.03 mi (204.43 km).

Nora Springs

#1 Nora Springs

City in Iowa, United States of America

Population1,342
Coordinates43.1427500, -93.0043700
Altitude331
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: West Congress Street (-93.004362, 43.142734)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 245 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.38 gal
20.36 L · about $20.29
Round trip
$40.58
10.76 gal · 40.72 L
Estimated CO2
47.8 kg one way
Round trip: 95.6 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.29 $40.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.88 $45.76
Premium $4.65 $25.04 $50.08
Diesel $5.30 $28.54 $57.07

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Nora Springs and Iowa City. The current time is 21:28:20.

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.