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

The driving distance from Webster City, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 159 miles (255.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.9 miles (209 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
159.01 mi
02h 32m
Flight
129.87 mi
209 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Webster City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
129.87 mi
Kilometers
209 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.01 mi
Kilometers
255.9 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa City
Fri, Apr 17, 11:12 PM CDT
Return by in Webster City
Sat, Apr 18, 1:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Webster City
2026-04-17T20:40
Arrive Iowa City
Fri, Apr 17, 11:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Webster City
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
Evansdale
IA

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

From Webster City
79.3 mi
01h 16m
To Iowa City
79.7 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street

    18 m · 5 sec · 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Superior Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Superior Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Briggs Woods Road

    1409 ft · 34 sec · Briggs Woods Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp sharp left toward US 20 East

    1812 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    84.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
84.7 mi · 53%
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi · 41%
I 80 East
5.42 mi · 3%
Superior Street
1.27 mi · 1%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

84.4 mi · 01h 37m

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.1 mi
129.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Evansdale
01h 16m from Webster City
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Webster City and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Iowa City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 159 miles (255.9 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?

Evansdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.3 miles from Webster City and 79.7 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 129.9 miles (209 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.16 one way or $42.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Webster City and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Iowa City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Webster City and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 129.87 mi (209 km).

Webster City

#1 Webster City

City in Iowa

Population7,671
Coordinates42.4694200, -93.8160500
Altitude317
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: 2nd Street (-93.81605, 42.469385)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.61 gal
21.24 L · about $21.16
Round trip
$42.31
11.22 gal · 42.48 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.7 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.16 $42.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.86 $47.72
Premium $4.65 $26.11 $52.22
Diesel $5.30 $29.76 $59.51

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 Webster City and Iowa City. The current time is 20:40:01.

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.