Trip from Glenwood, 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

4h 47m

Distance

259.3 mi

417 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 34m ★

6 AM

4h 48m

8 AM

5h 15m

10 AM

4h 57m

12 PM

4h 55m

3 PM

4h 59m

5 PM

5h 13m

8 PM

4h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Mills County, Iowa, United States

Glenwood, IA

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city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Iowa City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, IA and Iowa City, IA.

Start on this road

205 ft · 16 sec · this road

Turn right onto North Vine Street

139 ft · 10 sec · North Vine Street

Turn right onto CR H30

0.6 mi · 1 min · Sharp Street

Continue on Hilman Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hilman Road

Turn right onto US 34; US 275

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 34; US 275

Take the ramp onto US 275

13 mi · 14 min · US 275

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 48A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines

Continue on I 80; US 6

118 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 80; US 6

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80

Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

107 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 80

Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward Downtown

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Dubuque Street

Turn left onto Kimball Road

477 ft · 21 sec · Kimball Road

Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Gilbert Street

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.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

130 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

Avoca, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.7 miles from Glenwood, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 239.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 259.3

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano and Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Iowa City, Iowa

0.1 mi

Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.4 mi

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano and Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $60 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13193372048

Visit website

Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13193541642

Visit website

SAIGON'S CORNER Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13193337233

Visit website

Szechuan House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13193386788

Visit website

Masala Indian Cuisine

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+13193386199

Visit website

Le Gourmet Korean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13194710959

Visit website

La Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13195196999

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 259.3

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 18.5

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

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.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Vine Street

Turn right onto North Vine Street

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR H30 / Sharp Street

Turn right onto CR H30 / Sharp Street

Navigation decision point

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

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...

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

$40.54 one way

$81.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$44.51	$89.02
premium	$4.89	$49.90	$99.80
diesel	$5.61	$57.25	$114.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Glenwood, IA

Night in Glenwood on Saturday

Local time

11:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Iowa City, IA

Night in Iowa City on Saturday

Local time

11:46 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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

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.

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 Effort 6/10

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.

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.

Minneapolis

135.8 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 80

Kansas City

135.8 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 80

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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.

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.

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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Explore more options from Glenwood, IA or browse trips ending in Iowa City, IA.

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Trip from Glenwood, IA to Iowa City, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano and Pizza

Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge

SAIGON'S CORNER Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

Szechuan House

Masala Indian Cuisine

Le Gourmet Korean Restaurant

La Wine Bar & Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Lake Manawa State Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Glenwood, IA

Iowa City, IA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 47m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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