Traveling from Clinton to Iowa City is a straightforward 87.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 61, Lincoln Way, and North Dodge Street as you move through the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this an economical excursion for solo travelers or small groups. Since both cities are located within Iowa, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. This drive is ideal if you are looking for a practical, no-fuss connection between these two Midwestern hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Clinton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 61
62.9 mi
1h 10m
Lincoln Way
17.2 mi
21m
North Dodge Street
2.1 mi
4m
Manufacturing Drive
1.6 mi
2m
South Bluff Boulevard
1.4 mi
2m
2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi
1m
Church Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 62.9 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi·2 min·2nd Avenue South
2
Turn left onto South Bluff Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·South Bluff Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto Manufacturing Drive
1.6 mi·2 min·Manufacturing Drive
4
Turn right onto US 30
17 mi·21 min·Lincoln Way
5
Merge onto US 61
14 mi·16 min·US 61
6
Take the exit onto US 61
49 mi·53 min·US 61
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
8
Turn left onto IA 1
2.1 mi·4 min·North Dodge Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Church Street
10
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Gilbert Street
11
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the main highways. You likely won't need to plan for formal stops given the sub-two-hour duration, allowing you to complete the drive in one smooth push. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before leaving Clinton, as the $13 estimate assumes a standard vehicle efficiency and provides a good baseline for your budget. Because the longest stretch on US 61 spans nearly 63 miles, ensure your vehicle is road-ready before embarking to maintain a steady pace. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity means you can focus on arriving in Iowa City feeling refreshed and ready for your next activity.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.6 miles from Clinton, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.9 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
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 Clinton, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clinton, IA
This is one driving day of about 87.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Clinton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 for about 62.9 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 86.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|US 30 / Lincoln Way
Turn right onto US 30 / Lincoln Way
Navigation decision point
4
84 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
4
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|IA 1 / North Dodge Street
Turn left onto IA 1 / North Dodge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
4
86.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|North Gilbert Street
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.62 one way
$27.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.95
$29.90
premium
$4.89
$16.76
$33.52
diesel
$5.61
$19.23
$38.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.15
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.62
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.19
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Clinton, IA
Night
in Clinton on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Night
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
9:51 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
2 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
1h 46m 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 highway-focused experience, as roughly 72% of your travel occurs on high-speed roads. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 62.9-mile stretch on US 61, which serves as the backbone of this route and allows for steady, consistent progress. While the drive begins with open highway transit, the character shifts slightly as you transition onto local arteries like Lincoln Way and North Dodge Street to reach your destination. You won't face complex navigation challenges, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a predictable, streamlined drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.9 mi on US 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and Lincoln Way. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near US 30 / Lincoln Way.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 46m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.3 miles (IA 1 / North Dodge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 62.9 miles on US 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 84 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.3 miles (IA 1 / North Dodge Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.
