How far is Northwood, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Northwood, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iowa
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 Northwood and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northwood and Iowa City.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
709 ft · 28 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 10th Street South
1 mi · 2 min · 10th Street South
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3
Continue on Orchid Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Orchid Avenue
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4
Continue on Maple Street
2947 ft · 1 min · Maple Street
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5
Continue on Orchid Avenue
12 mi · 17 min · Orchid Avenue
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6
Continue on North Federal Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Federal Avenue
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7
Turn left onto 12th Street Northeast
1 mi · 2 min · 12th Street Northeast
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8
Turn right onto North Kentucky Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · North Kentucky Avenue
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9
Turn slight left onto Maple Drive
2017 ft · 57 sec · Maple Drive
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10
Turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · 4th Street Southeast
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11
Turn right onto Thrush Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · Thrush Avenue
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12
Take the ramp left
2241 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
69.1 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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15
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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17
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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22
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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24
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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25
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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26
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northwood and Iowa City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
69.1 mi · 01h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Northwood 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 Northwood to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.7 km) and usually takes 03h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Janesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.6 miles from Northwood and 91.8 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.2 miles (241.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.55 one way or $49.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Northwood and Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northwood and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 150.27 mi (241.83 km).
#1 Northwood
City in Iowa
| Population | 1,958 |
| Coordinates | 43.4441200, -93.2210400 |
| Altitude | 375 |
| 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: 297 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.55 | $49.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.69 | $55.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.30 | $60.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.53 | $69.06 |
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.