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

The driving distance from Winterset, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 150.6 miles (242.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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
150.61 mi
02h 27m
Flight
130.54 mi
210.08 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winterset.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.54 mi
Kilometers
210.08 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.61 mi
Kilometers
242.38 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
Wed, Apr 15, 5:59 PM CDT
Return by in Winterset
Wed, Apr 15, 8:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winterset
2026-04-15T15:32
Arrive Iowa City
Wed, Apr 15, 5:59 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
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winterset
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
Kellogg
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Winterset
75.2 mi
01h 13m
To Iowa City
75.4 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph WSW
Destination
62°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Grade Street

    38 m · 11 sec · West Grade Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South John Wayne Drive

    3.5 mi · 7 min · South John Wayne Drive

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    11.2 mi · 16 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    2023 ft · 49 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    2061 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Kimball Road

    145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Winterset 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
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35
121 mi · 81%
South John Wayne Drive
27.2 mi · 18%
North Dubuque Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Downtown
0.39 mi
Kimball Road
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35

Keep slight left

107 mi · 01h 56m

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 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20 mi
130.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kellogg
01h 13m from Winterset
Leave By
1:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Winterset 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 Winterset to Iowa City?

The road trip is about 150.6 miles (242.4 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?

Kellogg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.2 miles from Winterset and 75.4 miles from Iowa City.

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

The direct path is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 1:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.06 one way or $40.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kellogg

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kellogg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kellogg.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

88 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Osceola

104 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winterset and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 130.54 mi (210.08 km).

Winterset

#1 Winterset

City in Iowa

Population5,428
Coordinates41.3308200, -94.0138400
Altitude332
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: West Grade Street (-94.013836, 41.330995)
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 242 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.32 gal
20.12 L · about $20.06
Round trip
$40.12
10.64 gal · 40.24 L
Estimated CO2
47.3 kg one way
Round trip: 94.6 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.06 $40.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.63 $45.25
Premium $4.65 $24.76 $49.52
Diesel $5.30 $28.22 $56.43

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Winterset and Iowa City. The current time is 15:32:06.

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.