Traveling from Iowa City to Cresco covers 139.9 miles of Midwestern landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey without the need for an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $21 to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads like Kimball Road and North Dubuque Street, supplemented by stretches of I-380. Whether you are heading north for a quick visit or a change of scenery, the trip offers a straightforward way to traverse the state.
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
69.9 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
Avenue of the Saints
54.6 mi
1h
Union Avenue
20.8 mi
28m
Viking Avenue
13.3 mi
18m
Baxter Avenue
10.6 mi
14m
Willow Avenue
9.9 mi
13m
Benson Shady Grove Avenue
7.1 mi
9m
Y Avenue
5 mi
8m
I 80
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 54.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Cresco, 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
4.1 mi·4 min·I 80
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
8
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
55 mi·1 hr·Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward CR V65: Jesup, La Porte City
10
Turn right onto CR V65
1.0 mi·1 min·South Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
11
Continue on CR V65
7.1 mi·9 min·Benson Shady Grove Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR D22
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Street
13
Turn right onto V62
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
Continue on CR V62
9.0 mi·12 min·Baxter Avenue
15
Enter roundabout onto CR V62
129 ft·2 sec·Baxter Avenue
16
Continue on CR V62
1.5 mi·2 min·Baxter Avenue
17
Continue on Walnut Street South
0.3 mi·51 sec·Walnut Street South
18
Turn left onto Fairbank Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Fairbank Street
19
Continue on IA 281
1.0 mi·1 min·102nd Street
20
Turn right onto North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Black Hawk Buchanan Avenue
21
Continue on Y Avenue
5.0 mi·8 min·Y Avenue
22
Turn left onto IA 3
3.0 mi·4 min·230th Street
23
Turn right onto V56
13 mi·18 min·Viking Avenue
24
Continue on V56
11 mi·15 min·Union Avenue
25
Continue on V56
437 ft·10 sec·County Highway V56
26
Turn right onto IA 24
0.5 mi·53 sec·State Highway 24
27
Turn left onto Union Avenue
9.7 mi·13 min·Union Avenue
28
Turn right onto 100th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·100th Street
29
Turn left onto Willow Avenue
9.9 mi·13 min·Willow Avenue
30
Continue on 3rd Street Southwest
1.2 mi·2 min·3rd Street Southwest
31
Continue on 3rd Street West
0.6 mi·1 min·3rd Street West
32
Turn right onto 8th Avenue West
0.3 mi·1 min·8th Avenue West
33
Arrive at destination
8th Avenue East
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 6-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. Aim to complete your single planned stop midway through the drive to break up the turn-heavy segments and keep your energy levels consistent. Because you are relying on local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Iowa City to ensure you are covered for the $21 estimated cost. Given the technical nature of the roads, it is wise to avoid rushing; allow yourself extra time for navigating the various turns along the route. Prioritize steady pacing to ensure a comfortable arrival in Cresco.
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 69.9 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.9 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cresco, 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 139.9 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 54.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 82.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
6.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward CR V65: Jesup, La Porte City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR V65: Jesup, La Porte City
4
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|CR D22 / South Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR D22 / South Street
Navigation decision point
5
82.7 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|Fairbank Street
Turn left onto Fairbank Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.87 one way
$43.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.01
$48.03
premium
$4.89
$26.92
$53.84
diesel
$5.61
$30.89
$61.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42
0
$14.69
$6.72
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.24
$5.60
EV Truck/SUV
56
0
$19.59
$8.95
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Afternoon
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
12:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cresco, IA
Afternoon
in Cresco on Sunday
Local time
12:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
70 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
27 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 6m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating smaller, more localized roads rather than cruising on major freeways. The character of the drive is defined by frequent changes in direction and pace as you transition away from the I-380 corridor. You will find that the road requires steady focus, making it a more interactive experience than a standard highway commute. Prepare for a winding path that keeps you engaged throughout the entire 139.9-mile journey.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
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 139.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.1 miles: 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.
Between Iowa City, IA and Cresco, IA, road signs point toward Cr V65: Jesup and La Porte City.
Cr V65: Jesup
62.1 mi in|~1h 14m
La Porte City
62.1 mi in|~1h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 139.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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 6.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Cresco, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
