This 321.8-mile journey from Hull, IA to Iowa City, IA will take approximately 6 hours and 34 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll be navigating primarily on local roads, with a small portion on the Avenue of the Saints, and the estimated fuel cost is around $50. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, so expect a more engaging experience than a straight interstate cruise. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent Midwestern landscape throughout. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 164.9 miles, you can plan for a focused drive with minimal interruptions.
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
160.9 miles from Hull, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
164.9 mi
3h 10m
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi
1h 11m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
Jackson Avenue
8 mi
11m
400th Street
7.5 mi
10m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
Log Avenue
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,943 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,357
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
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 Hull, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 18
0.8 mi·1 min·Black Forest Road
3
Continue on US 18
2.9 mi·4 min·320th Street
4
Turn right onto CR K64
8.0 mi·11 min·Jackson Avenue
5
Turn left onto B40
7.5 mi·10 min·400th Street
6
Continue on Birch Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Birch Street
7
Continue on Cedar Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Cedar Street
8
Continue on 6th Avenue South
0.1 mi·15 sec·6th Avenue South
9
Turn right onto Fir Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Fir Street
10
Turn right onto L22
0.3 mi·28 sec·County Road S
11
Continue on L22
5.8 mi·8 min·Log Avenue
12
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
13
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
14
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
15
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
17
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
18
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
19
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
20
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
21
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
22
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
23
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
24
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
25
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
26
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
27
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
28
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
29
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi·3 hr 10 min·220th Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
32
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
33
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
35
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
36
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
37
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
38
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 34-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hull, IA, to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Iowa City with time to spare. The route's turn-heavy nature means you'll want to stay attentive to your navigation, especially during the 164.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before you leave, as stops might be less frequent on the local road segments. While only one stop is recommended, planning for a brief break around the halfway point, perhaps after covering the longest stretch, will help keep you refreshed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.9 miles from Hull, IA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 71 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.9 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
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 Hull, 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 Hull, IA
This is one driving day of about 321.8 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Hull, 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 220th Street for about 164.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 314.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 18 / Black Forest Road
Turn left onto US 18 / Black Forest Road
Navigation decision point
5
20 mi into trip|~28m in|L22 / County Road S
Turn right onto L22 / County Road S
Navigation decision point
6
31.1 mi into trip|~44m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
249.2 mi into trip|~5h 9m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
314.2 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
$47.52 one way
$95.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.46
$104.93
premium
$4.72
$59.75
$119.50
diesel
$4.80
$60.76
$121.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.5
1
$33.79
$15.45
Efficient EV
80.5
0
$28.16
$12.87
EV Truck/SUV
128.7
1
$45.05
$20.60
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Hull, IA
Evening
in Hull on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:54PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:00PM CDT until July 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Evening
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:54PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:00PM CDT until July 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
62°F
Hampton, IA
161 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
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
6h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its profile. Only 5% of the journey is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on smaller roads, including 220th Street and 20th Avenue, along with a section of the Avenue of the Saints. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 164.9 miles on 220th Street, so there are periods of steady driving. This mix suggests a route that requires more attention to navigation and potentially slower speeds compared to interstate travel.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.9 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 18 / Black Forest Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 321.8 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.2 miles (US 18 / Black Forest Road): Navigation decision point; at 20 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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 6h 34m. Total distance: 321.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.9 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 18 / Black Forest Road): Navigation decision point; at 20 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Iowa City, IA before the return drive.
