How far is Red Oak, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Red Oak, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.9 miles (316.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m 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 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Red Oak and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak and Iowa City.
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1
Start on East Reed Street
1980 ft · 1 min · East Reed Street
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2
Turn right onto North Broadway Street
14 mi · 21 min · North Broadway Street
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3
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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4
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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5
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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6
Continue on 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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7
Turn right onto White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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8
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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9
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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10
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 22 sec · White Pole Road
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11
Continue on East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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12
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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13
Take the exit right
62 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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15
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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17
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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18
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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19
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Oak and Iowa City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Red Oak and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Red Oak to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 234.1 miles (376.8 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Urbandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.8 miles from Red Oak and 118.3 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.9 miles (316.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.15 one way or $62.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Red Oak and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.
Stop Ideas Near Urbandale
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 Urbandale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Red Oak and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 196.91 mi (316.89 km).
#1 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| 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: 377 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.13 | $70.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.44 | $76.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.81 | $87.62 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.