Charles City to Iowa City is 132.3 miles and takes about 2h 39m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest from one city to another. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and local road navigation rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. Given the relatively short distance and driving time, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.2 miles from Charles City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
105.9 mi
1h 59m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
I 80
4.2 mi
4m
Washington Street
2.4 mi
3m
North Dubuque Street
1 mi
2m
Shadow Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
South Grand Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 105.9 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charles City, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on US 18
31 ft·2 sec·4th Avenue
2
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi·1 min·Brantingham Street
3
Turn left onto US 18; US 218 Business
383 ft·10 sec·Gilbert Street
4
Continue on US 18; US 218 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·South Grand Avenue
5
Continue on US 18; US 218 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Shadow Avenue
6
Take the ramp onto US 218 Business
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 218 Business
7
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
41 mi·47 min·Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
9
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
10
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
11
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
13
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
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
16
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
18
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
19
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
20
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
21
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
For this 2h 39m drive, leaving in the morning offers the most flexibility. Since the total distance is just 132.3 miles, you won't need to split this trip into multiple days. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21, and ensure you have enough for the 105.9-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints before reaching your destination in Iowa City.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Charles City, IA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.9 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 7m
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 Charles City, 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 Charles City, IA
This is one driving day of about 132.3 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Charles City, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 105.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 124.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 18; US 218 Business / Gilbert Street
Turn left onto US 18; US 218 Business / Gilbert Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|US 218 Business
Take the ramp onto US 218 Business
Navigation decision point
6
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
124.7 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
$20.68 one way
$41.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.71
$45.42
premium
$4.89
$25.46
$50.92
diesel
$5.61
$29.21
$58.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Charles City, IA
Night
in Charles City on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Night
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
24 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
2h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 is a turn-heavy local drive, with only 14% of the route on highways. You'll spend most of your time on surface streets and state routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 105.9 miles along the Avenue of the Saints. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you transition between different road types. The scenery will likely shift as you move through various towns and rural landscapes.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.9 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 18; US 218 Business / Gilbert Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 132.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 18; US 218 Business / Gilbert Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 218 Business): Navigation decision point; at 53.2 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charles City, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Dubuque
53.2 mi in|~1h 5m|via I 380
Cedar Falls
53.2 mi in|~1h 5m|via I 380
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 132.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.9 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.4 miles (US 18; US 218 Business / Gilbert Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 218 Business): Navigation decision point; at 53.2 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.
