If you are planning a quick jaunt across the heart of the Midwest, the 74.1-mile journey from Dyersville to Iowa City is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate between these two Iowa staples. With an estimated fuel cost of just $11, it is a budget-friendly way to connect these communities. Because of the manageable duration, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you total flexibility to head out and return on your own schedule. This highway-focused route is straightforward, making it perfect for drivers who prefer a direct path without the hassle of a complex itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Dyersville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
25.1 mi
28m
State Highway 1
15.7 mi
21m
State Highway 136
12.9 mi
17m
Highway 1 Northeast
10.7 mi
14m
North Dodge Street
2.6 mi
5m
1st Avenue North
1.5 mi
2m
North Market Street
1.4 mi
2m
9th Street Southeast
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 25.1 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dyersville, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Southeast
276 ft·10 sec·2nd Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southeast
0.6 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto US 52
495 ft·8 sec·11th Street Southeast
4
Continue on US 52
1.2 mi·1 min·9th Street Southeast
5
Continue on IA 136
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 136
6
Continue on IA 136
0.7 mi·1 min·1st Street North
7
Continue on IA 136
8.4 mi·11 min·State Highway 136
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
9
Merge onto US 151
25 mi·28 min·US 151
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
11
Turn left onto IA 1
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 1
12
Continue on IA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·1st Avenue North
13
Continue on IA 1
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 1
14
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1
121 ft·5 sec·State Highway 1
15
Continue on US 30 Bus; IA 1
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 1
16
Continue on IA 1
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1 Northeast
17
Continue on IA 1
1.4 mi·2 min·North Market Street
18
Continue on IA 1
7.5 mi·10 min·Highway 1 Northeast
19
Continue on North Dodge Street
2.6 mi·5 min·North Dodge Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Church Street
21
Turn left onto North Gilbert Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Gilbert Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based entirely on your personal preference rather than traffic fatigue. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops in the data, you should plan your own breaks if you prefer to stretch your legs during the 1 hour and 41 minutes of travel. Fueling up before you leave Dyersville will likely cover your entire $11 estimated expenditure, so you won't need to hunt for gas stations along the way. Because US 151 serves as the backbone of your route, keep an eye on your speed as you transition onto the state highways. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route by keeping your vehicle prepared for a non-stop trek to 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.1 miles from Dyersville, IA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.1 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 47m 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 23m
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 Dyersville, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dyersville, IA
This is one driving day of about 74.1 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Dyersville, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 151 for about 25.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 73.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|2nd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 52 / 11th Street Southeast
Turn right onto US 52 / 11th Street Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
15.6 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.58 one way
$23.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.72
$25.44
premium
$4.89
$14.26
$28.52
diesel
$5.61
$16.36
$32.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Dyersville, IA
Morning
in Dyersville on Sunday
Local time
10:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
10:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Springville, IA
37 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
4 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 41m 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 trip is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with highways accounting for 87% of your total travel time. You will spend most of your journey cruising on US 151, State Highway 1, and State Highway 136. Be prepared for a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.1 miles on US 151. While the route is largely highway-focused, the transition between these roads keeps the drive from feeling monotonous. You can expect a reliable, steady experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm for the duration of the drive.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.1 mi on US 151.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and State Highway 1. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 2nd Avenue Southeast.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dyersville, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 1h 41m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (2nd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 52 / 11th Street Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
993 ft667 ft
Total Climb
218 ft
Total Descent
502 ft
Highest Point
993 ft
~5.3 mi in
Elevation Range
326 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 25.1 miles on US 151. 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 0.1 miles (2nd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 52 / 11th Street Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.
