How far is Sheldon, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Sheldon, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 308.8 miles (497 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m 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 05h 00m.
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.
City in Iowa
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 Sheldon and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheldon and Iowa City.
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1
Start on 9th Street
8 m · 6 sec · 9th Street
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2
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right
7.5 mi · 9 min
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4
Turn left onto Log Avenue
5.6 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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5
Turn left onto 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
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6
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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7
Continue on 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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8
Turn right onto Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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9
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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10
Continue on Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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11
Turn left onto 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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12
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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13
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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14
Turn straight onto State Highway 3
4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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15
Turn left onto 530th Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
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16
Turn right onto V Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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17
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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19
Continue on Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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20
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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21
Continue on Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
164.9 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi · 3 min
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26
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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28
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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29
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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30
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sheldon and Iowa City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
220th Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
165 mi · 03h 10m
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 Sheldon 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 Sheldon to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 308.8 miles (497 km) and usually takes 05h 00m 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?
Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.8 miles from Sheldon and 154 miles from Iowa City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.10 one way or $82.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sheldon and Sunny near Iowa City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sheldon and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 244.32 mi (393.2 km).
#1 Sheldon
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,071 |
| Coordinates | 43.1810900, -95.8561300 |
| Altitude | 435 |
| 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: 497 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.10 | $82.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.36 | $92.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.73 | $101.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.81 | $115.63 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.