How far is Prairie City, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Prairie City, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 95.7 miles (154 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.2 miles (141.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m 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 01h 34m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prairie City and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie City and Iowa City.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
105 m · 20 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto North State Street
1981 ft · 33 sec · North State Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 117
4.3 mi · 6 min · State Highway 117
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4
Continue on South League Road
2151 ft · 38 sec · South League Road
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5
Turn right onto County Highway F48 West
1.3 km · 1 min · County Highway F48 West
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6
Continue on Highway F48 West
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway F48 West
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7
Continue on Old Hwy 6
1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Hwy 6
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1687 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
84.8 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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11
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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12
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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13
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 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 Prairie City 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.
Old Hwy 6
Merge slight left
84.8 mi · 01h 31m
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 Prairie City 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 Prairie City to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 95.7 miles (154 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?
Brooklyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.8 miles from Prairie City and 48 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.2 miles (141.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 3:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.75 one way or $25.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Prairie City and Sunny near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Brooklyn
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 Brooklyn.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie City and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 88.15 mi (141.87 km).
#1 Prairie City
City in Jasper County, Iowa
| Population | 1,718 |
| Coordinates | 41.5994300, -93.2352100 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| 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: 154 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.75 | $25.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.38 | $28.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.73 | $31.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.