How far is Remsen, IA from Iowa City, IA?

The driving distance from Remsen, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 291.5 miles (469.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
291.49 mi
04h 37m
Flight
240.82 mi
387.56 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Remsen.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.82 mi
Kilometers
387.56 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
291.49 mi
Kilometers
469.11 km
Drive Time
04h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Mon, Jun 1, 9:20 AM CDT
Return by in Remsen
Mon, Jun 1, 1:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Remsen
2026-06-01T04:42
Arrive Iowa City
Mon, Jun 1, 9:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Remsen
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Blairsburg
IA

Township in Hamilton County, Iowa

From Remsen
145.5 mi
02h 18m
To Iowa City
146 mi
02h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
83°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Remsen and Iowa City.

  1. 1

    Start on South Washington Street

    2276 ft · 2 min · South Washington Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 3

    1.3 km · 2 min · State Highway 3

  3. 3

    Turn right onto State Highway 140

    15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  8. 8

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  9. 9

    Continue on 220th Street

    165.9 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Remsen and Iowa City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
166 mi · 57%
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 22%
Highway 20
19 mi · 7%
State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 5%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 3%
Lee Avenue
5.42 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

166 mi · 03h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.7 mi
240.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blairsburg
02h 18m from Remsen
Leave By
7:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Remsen and Slight 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 Remsen to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 291.5 miles (469.1 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?

Blairsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.5 miles from Remsen and 146 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.7 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 7:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.80 one way or $77.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Remsen and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Remsen and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 240.82 mi (387.56 km).

Remsen

#1 Remsen

City in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,607
Coordinates42.8147100, -95.9733500
Altitude405
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: South Washington Street (-95.973334, 42.814683)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 469 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.29 gal
38.94 L · about $38.80
Round trip
$77.61
20.58 gal · 77.88 L
Estimated CO2
91.4 kg one way
Round trip: 182.9 kg / 403 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.80 $77.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.76 $87.53
Premium $4.65 $47.89 $95.78
Diesel $5.30 $54.58 $109.16

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Remsen and Iowa City. The current time is 04:42:46.

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.