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Trip from Iowa City, IA to Atlantic, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

195.2 mi

314 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m

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 Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Iowa City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Iowa, United States

Atlantic, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 195.2-mile journey from Iowa City, IA, to Atlantic, IA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily on local roads, with a significant portion of the drive involving turns, making it a more engaging experience than a pure interstate cruise. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, this route is quite budget-friendly. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent Midwestern landscape throughout. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, it’s well-suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

97.6 miles from Iowa City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 182.2 mi 3h 17m
650th Street 6.5 mi 9m
East 7th Street 3.5 mi 6m
North Dubuque Street 1.2 mi 3m
South Gilbert Street 0.8 mi 2m
US 6 0.4 mi <1m
Kimball Road <0.1 mi <1m
Chestnut Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 182.2 mi, about 3h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Gilbert Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Gilbert Street
2

Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

477 ft · 22 sec · Kimball Road
3

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
4

Turn left

0.4 mi · 58 sec
5

Merge onto I 80

120 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 6

0.4 mi · 48 sec · US 6
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
8

Turn left onto US 6; US 71

6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
9

Turn right onto US 6; US 71

3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
10

Turn left onto Chestnut Street

266 ft · 6 sec · Chestnut Street
11

Turn right

227 ft · 16 sec
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For your 195.2-mile drive from Iowa City to Atlantic, consider departing in the morning to take advantage of the 3-hour and 41-minute travel time, leaving you plenty of daylight at your destination. With only one stop recommended and a fuel cost of around $30, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your navigation as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent directional changes. It’s a good idea to ensure your GPS is set up correctly before you leave Iowa City to avoid any unexpected detours on the local roads.

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 97.6 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.2 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 43 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.6 miles or 1h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlantic, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA

This is one driving day of about 195.2 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Iowa City, 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 182.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Jasper County, Iowa, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Colfax, IA

98 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

Tama, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colfax, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.6 miles from Iowa City, 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 182.2 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

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atlantic, Iowa

0.2 mi

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13193381808

Visit website

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

St. Burch Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193417700

Visit website

Nodo Downtown

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13193591181

Visit website

The Encounter Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+13195192044

Visit website

Bluebird Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13193511470

Visit website

The Dandy Lion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193586400

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 195.2

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17122501539

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.6

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Power Café

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13193843427

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 27.9

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 153.4

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Fireside Lounge

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 195.2

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 12 pm–2 am

+17122432426

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 125.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 111.6

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 195.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
122.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha
5
184.7 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | US 6

Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
4
191.6 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street

Turn right onto US 6; US 71 / East 7th Street

Navigation decision point

4
195.2 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.52 one way

$61.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.51 $67.01
premium $4.89 $37.56 $75.13
diesel $5.61 $43.10 $86.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.6 0 $20.50 $9.37
Efficient EV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81
EV Truck/SUV 78.1 0 $27.33 $12.49

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Iowa City, IA

Morning in Iowa City on Sunday

Local time

8:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Atlantic, IA

Morning in Atlantic on Sunday

Local time

8:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Colfax, IA

98 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

24 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

3h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 195.2-mile trip between Iowa City and Atlantic. While the main roads include Kimball Road, North Dubuque Street, and I-80 West, the highway share is 0%, indicating you'll be on surface streets and county roads for the majority of the journey. This suggests a more intimate and potentially slower-paced experience, where you'll be making frequent adjustments to your direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' nature implies a constant need for attention and navigation.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 650th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Iowa City, IA to Atlantic, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Audubon along the way.

Audubon

184.7 mi in | ~3h 24m | via US 6

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 195.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 182.2 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Atlantic, 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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Return Trip

Atlantic, IA to Iowa City, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

195.5 mi 3h 41m

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