Origin
Dysart, IA
Morning in Dysart on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dysart, IA to Iowa City, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
71.2 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dysart, IA
DS stories
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dysart to Iowa City is 71.2 miles and takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes via 73rd Street and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a straightforward highway cruise. With a relatively short duration and a modest fuel cost, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a chance to explore more of the local landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.6 miles from Dysart, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 73rd Street | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| Holsted Street | 14.4 mi | 20m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| US 218 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Wilson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
73rd Street
— 32.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dysart, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
65 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Wilson Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilson Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto IA 21
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Holsted Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
5
Merge onto US 30
32 mi
·
37 min
·
73rd Street
6
Take the exit onto US 218
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
7
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
10
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
12
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
13
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
14
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
15
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 31 minute duration, this is a very manageable same-day trip. You could depart anytime, but a morning start would give you ample time to explore upon arrival in Iowa City. While there are no designated stops listed, consider a brief pause around the halfway mark if needed. Keep an eye out for the transitions between 73rd Street and the Avenue of the Saints, as these are key points where the road character shifts. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops.
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 35.6 miles from Dysart, IA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 46m 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 14m
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 Dysart, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dysart, IA
This is one driving day of about 71.2 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Dysart, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 73rd Street for about 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.6 miles from Dysart, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Wilson Street
Turn right onto Wilson Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IA 21 / Holsted Street
At end of road, turn right onto IA 21 / Holsted Street
Navigation decision point
4
14.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
US 218
Take the exit onto US 218 toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
5
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
$11.13 one way
$22.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.22 | $24.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.70 | $27.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.72 | $31.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.23 | $2.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.97 | $4.56 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
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
3 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 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a series of local roads and a highway percentage of 6. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.4 miles along 73rd Street. Prepare for a driving experience that involves frequent changes in direction, requiring your attention to navigate. While the Avenue of the Saints offers some highway segments, the overall feel leans towards a more intimate, less high-speed journey through the region.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.4 mi on 73rd Street.
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 early in the drive near Wilson Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Wilson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (IA 21 / Holsted Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dysart, IA to Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
47.5 mi in
|
~1h
|
via US 218
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 71.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.4 miles on 73rd Street. 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.
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: near the start (Wilson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (IA 21 / Holsted Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.8 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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