This 259.3-mile drive from Glenwood, IA, to Iowa City, IA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 47 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $41. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it an efficient option for getting between these two points in the Midwest. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is well-suited for a one-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times without needing an overnight stop. You'll be covering a significant distance, so planning for a comfortable pace is key.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.7 miles from Glenwood, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
239.4 mi
4h 19m
US 275
13.1 mi
14m
US 34
2.4 mi
3m
North Dubuque Street
1 mi
2m
Hilman Road
0.8 mi
1m
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
2m
Sharp Street
0.6 mi
1m
Kimball Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 239.4 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,239 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,656
Quietest
2 AM
~192 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on this road
205 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Vine Street
139 ft·10 sec·North Vine Street
3
Turn right onto CR H30
0.6 mi·1 min·Sharp Street
4
Continue on Hilman Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Hilman Road
5
Turn right onto US 34; US 275
2.4 mi·3 min·US 34; US 275
6
Take the ramp onto US 275
13 mi·14 min·US 275
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 48AToward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
Continue on I 80; US 6
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 80; US 6
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
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
For this 4-hour and 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Glenwood, IA, to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Iowa City with ample time. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I 80, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before you embark on the longest segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Glenwood. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule, but keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach larger towns along I 80.
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 129.7 miles from Glenwood, IA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.4 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, IA
This is one driving day of about 259.3 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Glenwood, 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 I 80 for about 239.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$1 to $10
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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 150.3 — 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|North Vine Street
Turn right onto North Vine Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CR H30 / Sharp Street
Turn right onto CR H30 / Sharp Street
Navigation decision point
5
17 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 48A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
135.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
150.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.29 one way
$76.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.27
$84.55
premium
$4.72
$48.14
$96.29
diesel
$4.80
$48.96
$97.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
Efficient EV
64.8
0
$22.69
$10.37
EV Truck/SUV
103.7
1
$36.30
$16.60
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Glenwood, IA
Late night
in Glenwood on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
SSW 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Late night
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 47m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 98% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 80, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 239.4 miles. This means you can expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. While the route relies heavily on interstates, the transition between US 275, US 34, and I 80 will offer slight variations in the driving environment. The overall character is one of efficiency and directness, allowing you to cover ground quickly.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.4 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 275. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Vine Street.
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 259.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (North Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CR H30 / Sharp Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,314 ft666 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
890 ft
Highest Point
1,314 ft
~92.6 mi in
Elevation Range
647 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glenwood, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Hip and urban, Iowa City is a prominent college town primarily known as the home of the University of Iowa. Along with its adjacent suburb of Coralville, just to the west. Iowa City sits at the center of a metro area home to 171,000 people (2020) in the I-380 Corridor region of Eastern Iowa.
Top landmarks
•University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art — museum in Iowa City, Iowa
•Vogt House — historic building located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States
•First Johnson County Asylum — historic building located on the far west side of Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 259.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.4 miles on I 80. 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: near the start (North Vine Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (CR H30 / Sharp Street): Navigation decision point; at 17 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Iowa City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
