How far is Onawa, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Onawa, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 277.1 miles (446 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.4 miles (380.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m 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 04h 20m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Onawa and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Onawa and Iowa City.
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1
Start on 10th Street
9 m · 8 sec · 10th Street
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2
Turn left onto Iowa Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
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3
Continue on State Highway 175
1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 175
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4
Take the ramp left
2024 ft · 50 sec
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5
Merge slight left
40.5 mi · 43 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1.2 km · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
16 mi · 17 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 km · 44 sec
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9
Merge slight right
94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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11
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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13
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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14
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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15
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Onawa 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
Keep slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Onawa and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Onawa to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 277.1 miles (446 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?
Earlham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Onawa and 138.1 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.4 miles (380.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.88 one way or $73.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Onawa and Chance Rain Showers near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Earlham
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 Earlham.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Onawa and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 236.4 mi (380.45 km).
#1 Onawa
City in Iowa
| Population | 2,766 |
| Coordinates | 42.0266500, -96.0972400 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| 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: 446 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.88 | $73.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.59 | $83.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.52 | $91.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.87 | $103.75 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.