Traveling from Algona to Iowa City covers 220.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest. You should plan for a total drive time of about 4 hours and 29 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it is an affordable trek for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. The route utilizes US 20, the Avenue of the Saints, and Lincoln Avenue to navigate between these two Iowa hubs. Because the total duration is under five hours, most travelers will find they can complete the journey without needing an overnight stop. It is a straightforward, functional drive that connects rural northern Iowa to the vibrant atmosphere of Iowa City.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110.2 miles from Algona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
103.2 mi
1h 59m
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi
1h 11m
Lincoln Avenue
30.1 mi
41m
South Phillips Street
6.4 mi
9m
I 80
4.2 mi
4m
US Highway 169
4 mi
5m
13th Street South
1.3 mi
2m
13th Street North
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 103.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,943 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,357
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Algona, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on US 169
0.2 mi·35 sec·North Jones Street
2
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·East McGregor Street
3
Turn right onto US 169
0.5 mi·1 min·South Phillips Street
4
Continue on US 169
4.0 mi·5 min·US Highway 169
5
Continue on US 169
5.9 mi·8 min·South Phillips Street
6
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi·55 sec·120th Avenue
7
Continue on US 169
11 mi·15 min·Lincoln Avenue
8
Continue on US 169
1.3 mi·2 min·13th Street North
9
Continue on US 169
377 ft·8 sec·Lincoln Avenue
10
Continue on US 169
1.3 mi·2 min·13th Street South
11
Continue on US 169
19 mi·25 min·Lincoln Avenue
12
Turn left
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 20 East
13
Merge onto US 20
103 mi·1 hr 59 min·US 20
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
17
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
19
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
20
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
21
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic buildup. Since the entire trip is 220.5 miles, you should budget for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply. Given that you will be navigating diverse road types, keep a close eye on your GPS during the transition points between US 20 and the Avenue of the Saints to ensure you stay on course. If you are traveling during peak seasons, remember that the $33 fuel estimate can fluctuate based on local prices, so it is wise to keep a small buffer in your travel budget. Flexibility is your greatest advantage on this route, allowing you to easily adjust your pace to match the flow of traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 110.2 miles from Algona, IA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 49 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Algona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Algona, IA
This is one driving day of about 220.5 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Algona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 103.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 212.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East McGregor Street
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 169 / South Phillips Street
Turn right onto US 169 / South Phillips Street
Navigation decision point
5
44.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Turn left toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
147.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
212.8 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.56 one way
$65.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.95
$71.90
premium
$4.72
$40.94
$81.88
diesel
$4.80
$41.63
$83.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.15
$10.58
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
EV Truck/SUV
88.2
1
$30.87
$14.11
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Algona, IA
Late night
in Algona on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
NNE 8 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Late night
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
N 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
86°F
Waterloo, IA
110 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, with roughly 51% of your time spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 103.2 miles along US 20. Expect the road character to shift as you transition from the quieter stretches near Algona onto the busier, more developed corridors leading toward your destination. While the drive is not exclusively on high-speed interstates, the combination of various road types keeps the pace steady. Being behind the wheel here requires a balance of focus during the extended highway segments and adaptability when navigating the transitions between the Avenue of the Saints and local routes.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.2 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East McGregor Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East McGregor Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 169 / South Phillips Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Hip and urban, Iowa City is a prominent college town primarily known as the home of the University of Iowa. Along with its adjacent suburb of Coralville, just to the west. Iowa City sits at the center of a metro area home to 171,000 people (2020) in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa.
Top landmarks
•University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art — museum in Iowa City, Iowa
•Vogt House — historic building located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States
•First Johnson County Asylum — historic building located on the far west side of Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 220.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.2 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Iowa City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East McGregor Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 169 / South Phillips Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Iowa City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
