Traveling from Clarion to Iowa City covers 173.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trek across the Midwest, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads like 220th Street, US 20 East, and the Avenue of the Saints. It is a practical connection between two Iowa communities, providing a reliable way to reach your destination without the need for an extended itinerary.
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
86.5 miles from Clarion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
75.4 mi
1h 27m
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi
1h 11m
US 69
19.7 mi
26m
I 80
4.2 mi
4m
220th Street
4 mi
5m
North Dubuque Street
1 mi
2m
Central Avenue West
0.9 mi
1m
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarion, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on IA 3
0.9 mi·1 min·Central Avenue West
2
Continue on IA 3
4.0 mi·5 min·220th Street
3
Turn right onto US 69
20 mi·26 min·US 69
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 20 East
5
Merge onto US 20
75 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 20
6
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
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
9
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
11
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
12
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
13
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
14
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 47-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your morning routine best. Plan for at least one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be more taxing than a straight interstate run. Keep your fuel budget of $26 in mind when planning your fill-ups, as local roads may offer fewer high-speed service station options than a major freeway. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your navigation before leaving Clarion, as the reliance on local roads like 220th Street requires careful attention to turn-by-turn directions. Staying alert to the frequent transitions between these roads will ensure you reach Iowa City without unnecessary detours.
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 86.5 miles from Clarion, IA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 45m 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 47m
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 Clarion, 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 Clarion, IA
This is one driving day of about 173 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Clarion, 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 75.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 173
Coralville, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13196255568
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 165.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
4.9 mi into trip|~6m in|US 69
Turn right onto US 69
Navigation decision point
5
24.6 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
100.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
4
165 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 80
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80
5
165.3 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$27.05 one way
$54.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.70
$59.39
premium
$4.89
$33.29
$66.58
diesel
$5.61
$38.20
$76.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.17
$8.30
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.14
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.22
$11.07
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Clarion, IA
Morning
in Clarion on Sunday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
9:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
87 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
1 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
3h 27m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, this route demands your full attention as you navigate through various local roads and intersections. The path lacks long, monotonous interstate stretches, keeping you engaged with the changing landscape of the Iowa countryside. You will spend your time maneuvering through a sequence of turns that define the character of this 173.1-mile journey. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that keeps you active at the wheel from start to finish.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.4 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near US 69.
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 173 miles you will encounter 11 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 4.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 100.4 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 173 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.4 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 4.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 100.4 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Iowa City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
