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

The driving distance from Tripoli, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 100.8 miles (162.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87.6 miles (140.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
100.79 mi
01h 44m
Flight
87.56 mi
140.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tripoli.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
87.56 mi
Kilometers
140.91 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.79 mi
Kilometers
162.2 km
Drive Time
01h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Return by in Tripoli
Sat, Apr 18, 7:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tripoli
2026-04-18T04:01
Arrive Iowa City
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tripoli
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Urbana
IA

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

From Tripoli
50.3 mi
00h 52m
To Iowa City
50.5 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    1 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Piedmont Avenue

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Piedmont Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 230th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 230th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Reed Avenue

    5 mi · 9 min · Reed Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on North Raymond Road

    10 mi · 16 min · North Raymond Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Raymond Road

    41 m · 2 sec · South Raymond Road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto South Raymond Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · South Raymond Road

  8. 8

    Continue on North 3rd Street

    2656 ft · 55 sec · North 3rd Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Lafayette Road

    49 m · 9 sec · Lafayette Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Raymond Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Raymond Road

  12. 12

    Take the ramp left

    1830 ft · 45 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    1.1 km · 45 sec · Avenue of the Saints

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
65.3 mi · 65%
North Raymond Road
9.95 mi · 10%
Piedmont Avenue
5.78 mi · 6%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 5%
Reed Avenue
5.01 mi · 5%
South Raymond Road
2.53 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

64.7 mi · 01h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
87.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Urbana
00h 52m from Tripoli
Leave By
3:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Tripoli 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 Tripoli to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 100.8 miles (162.2 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?

Urbana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.3 miles from Tripoli and 50.5 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 87.6 miles (140.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Tripoli and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tripoli and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 87.56 mi (140.91 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Tripoli

City in Iowa, United States

Population1,375
Coordinates42.8080400, -92.2582300
Altitude314
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 Main Street (-92.258169, 42.80804)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 162 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.56 gal
13.46 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.85
7.12 gal · 26.92 L
Estimated CO2
31.6 kg one way
Round trip: 63.3 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.42 $26.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.14 $30.28
Premium $4.65 $16.57 $33.14
Diesel $5.30 $18.88 $37.76

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

There is no time difference between Tripoli and Iowa City. The current time is 04:01:28.

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.