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

The driving distance from Washington, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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
143.17 mi
02h 27m
Flight
116.52 mi
187.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Washington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
116.52 mi
Kilometers
187.52 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.17 mi
Kilometers
230.41 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

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 02h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Sun, Apr 26, 9:43 PM CDT
Return by in Washington
Mon, Apr 27, 12:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Washington
2026-04-26T19:16
Arrive Iowa City
Sun, Apr 26, 9:43 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:27 AM to 12:27 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Washington
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
Gilbertville
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America.

From Washington
71.4 mi
01h 13m
To Iowa City
71.8 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph ESE
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on State Highway 3

    2.6 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3

  2. 2

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  4. 4

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  8. 8

    Continue on 210th Street

    8.8 mi · 12 min · 210th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 3

    3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 3

  10. 10

    Continue on 230th Street

    1.7 mi · 2 min · 230th Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    2320 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    15.3 mi · 18 min · Avenue of the Saints

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  16. 16

    Continue on Washington Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  25. 25

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington 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
26 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
80 mi · 56%
210th Street
18 mi · 13%
State Highway 3
15.1 mi · 11%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.66 mi · 5%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 5%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 4%
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
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.7 mi
116.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilbertville
01h 13m from Washington
Leave By
1:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Washington and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.2 miles (230.4 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?

Gilbertville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.4 miles from Washington and 71.8 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 116.5 miles (187.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.04 one way or $38.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Washington and Mostly Sunny near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 116.52 mi (187.52 km).

Washington

#1 Washington

City in Franklin County, Missouri

Population7,206
Coordinates42.7477500, -93.2713100
Altitude367
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: State Highway 3 (-93.271439, 42.745409)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.05 gal
19.12 L · about $19.04
Round trip
$38.09
10.1 gal · 38.24 L
Estimated CO2
44.9 kg one way
Round trip: 89.8 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.04 $38.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.48 $42.96
Premium $4.65 $23.50 $47.01
Diesel $5.30 $26.79 $53.57

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 27, 2026

There is no time difference between Washington and Iowa City. The current time is 19:16:27.

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.