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

The driving distance from Sac City, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 220 miles (354.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m 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
220.02 mi
03h 26m
Flight
185.13 mi
297.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sac City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
185.13 mi
Kilometers
297.93 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
220.02 mi
Kilometers
354.09 km
Drive Time
03h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Sun, May 31, 12:49 AM CDT
Return by in Sac City
Sun, May 31, 4:15 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sac City
2026-05-30T21:22
Arrive Iowa City
Sun, May 31, 12:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:06 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sac City
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
Wellsburg
IA

Human settlement in Grundy County, Iowa, United States of America

From Sac City
109.8 mi
01h 43m
To Iowa City
110.2 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Tonight

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 PM CDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph SE
Destination
85°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 1:00 PM CDT
Wind
15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    22 m · 10 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 5th Street

    1 mi · 2 min · North 5th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Sierra Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Sierra Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right

    145.1 mi · 2 hr 48 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sac City 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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 29%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 2%
Sierra Avenue
1.24 mi · 1%
North 5th Street
1 mi
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

145 mi · 02h 48m

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
03h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.9 mi
185.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wellsburg
01h 43m from Sac City
Leave By
10:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sac City and Partly Sunny near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sac City to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 220 miles (354.1 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?

Wellsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.8 miles from Sac City and 110.2 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.9 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 10:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sac City and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 185.13 mi (297.93 km).

Sac City

#1 Sac City

City in Iowa

Population2,068
Coordinates42.4222000, -94.9897100
Altitude371
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: Main Street (-94.989726, 42.422062)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 354 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.76 gal
29.39 L · about $29.26
Round trip
$58.53
15.52 gal · 58.78 L
Estimated CO2
69 kg one way
Round trip: 137.9 kg / 304 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.26 $58.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.00 $66.01
Premium $4.65 $36.12 $72.23
Diesel $5.30 $41.16 $82.32

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Sac City and Iowa City. The current time is 21:22:38.

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.