Iowa City, IA to Corydon, IA is 151.6 miles and takes about 3h 16m via I 80 and State Highway 14, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, moving from eastern Iowa to the south-central part of the state. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey. Given its relatively short duration and moderate fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
75.8 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
79.2 mi
1h 25m
State Highway 14
63.2 mi
1h 33m
North Lincoln Street
2.3 mi
3m
North 7th Street
1.5 mi
2m
North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi
3m
Monroe Street
1 mi
1m
South Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
2m
North Washington Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 79.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Corydon, 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
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 80
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
7
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 14
8
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
9
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
10
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi·3 min·North Lincoln Street
11
Continue on IA 14
23 mi·34 min·State Highway 14
12
Continue on IA 14
1.5 mi·2 min·North 7th Street
13
Turn right onto IA 14; US 34 Business
0.2 mi·16 sec·Woodlawn Avenue
14
Continue on IA 14; US 34 Business
492 ft·8 sec·State Highway 14
15
Continue on IA 14; US 34 Business
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Main Street
16
Continue on IA 14
16 mi·24 min·State Highway 14
17
Continue on IA 14
0.7 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto IA 14
242 ft·6 sec·East Jackson Street
19
Turn right onto IA 14
460 ft·10 sec·North Lafayette Street
20
Turn right onto IA 2
460 ft·13 sec·East Jefferson Street
21
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
86 ft·3 sec·South Franklin Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Franklin Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over three hours, you have considerable flexibility on when to depart. Leaving Iowa City in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Corydon well before evening. The route is straightforward, so you may not need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break during the 79.2-mile stretch on I 80. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $24, and plan your refueling accordingly before you leave the main interstate corridors.
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 75.8 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.2 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.8 miles or 1h 25m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corydon, 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 151.6 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 79.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 81.7 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
4
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|IA 14; US 34 Business / Woodlawn Avenue
Turn right onto IA 14; US 34 Business / Woodlawn Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
151.3 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|IA 14 / East Jackson Street
At end of road, turn left onto IA 14 / East Jackson Street
Navigation decision point
5
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|IA 2 / East Jefferson Street
Turn right onto IA 2 / East Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|South Franklin Street
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.70 one way
$47.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.02
$52.05
premium
$4.89
$29.17
$58.35
diesel
$5.61
$33.47
$66.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
Efficient EV
37.9
0
$13.26
$6.06
EV Truck/SUV
60.6
0
$21.22
$9.70
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Night
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Corydon, IA
Night
in Corydon on Saturday
Local time
9:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Newton, IA
76 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
22 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 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 80, experiencing a longest stretch of 79.2 miles on this interstate. After transitioning to State Highway 14 and then North Lincoln Street, the character of the drive will shift away from the high-speed interstate to more localized roads as you approach Corydon. Expect a generally efficient travel experience with minimal delays.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 14. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 81.7 miles in.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Iowa City, IA to Corydon, IA is easy. At 3h 16m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.5 miles (IA 14; US 34 Business / Woodlawn Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 151.3 miles (IA 14 / East Jackson Street): Navigation decision point.
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 Corydon, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
81.7 mi in|~1h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 151.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 79.2 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 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.5 miles (IA 14; US 34 Business / Woodlawn Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 151.3 miles (IA 14 / East Jackson Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Corydon, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
