Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Iowa City, IA to Lenox, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
212.4 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Lenox, IA
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
Iowa City to Lenox is 212.4 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 80, I 35, and US 34, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Iowa, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, offering a consistent driving experience. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roads, it’s a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points without significant detours.
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
106.2 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 119.9 mi | 2h 10m |
| I 35 | 40 mi | 43m |
| US 34 | 38.3 mi | 54m |
| Adams-Union Avenue | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| 110th Street | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 25 | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 119.9 mi, about 2h 10m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,166 veh/hr typical · worst 2,588
Quietest
2 AM
~205 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Iowa City, IA and Lenox, 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 left at fork onto I 35
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 34: Osceola, Creston
8
Turn left onto US 34
38 mi
·
54 min
·
US 34
9
Turn left onto IA 25
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Adams-Union Avenue
10
Continue on IA 25; CR J13
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 25
11
Turn right onto CR J13
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
110th Street
12
Continue on CR J13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Van Buren Street
13
Turn left onto North Maple Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Maple Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Maple Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Iowa City in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $38, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without exiting the interstate is nearly 120 miles, so plan accordingly for any necessary breaks before reaching that point. If you prefer to break up the drive, you could stop midway or closer to Lenox for an overnight stay, though it's not strictly necessary.
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 106.2 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.9 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 1h 59m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lenox, 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 212.4 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 119.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Iowa City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Osceola Rest Area - Southbound
0.8 mi from route
Osceola Rest Area - Northbound
0.8 mi from route
Casey's Truck Stop
1.7 mi from route
Osceola Alternate Parking Area - Southbound
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 212.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Dubuque Street
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
Navigation decision point
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.
6
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
162.4 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward US 34: Osceola, Creston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 34: Osceola, Creston
4
212.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
North Maple Street
Turn left onto North Maple Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.31 one way
$70.63 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $38.47 | $76.93 |
| premium | $5.18 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $44.74 | $89.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.74 | $13.59 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph
39% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lenox, IA
Afternoon in Lenox on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 14 mph
24% chance
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
2 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 15m 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 predominantly on highways, with 94% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 119.9 miles on I 80 before transitioning to other major arteries. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits along the interstate portions. The final segment will involve surface roads as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.9 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near North Dubuque Street.
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 4h 15m 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 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,294 ft
666 ft
Total Climb
790 ft
Total Descent
162 ft
Highest Point
1,294 ft
~212.4 mi in
Elevation Range
628 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Lenox, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Creston along the way.
Creston
162.4 mi in
|
~3h
About the Cities
Starting in Iowa City, IA
Full guide →Founded 1839
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
Arriving in Lenox, IA
Full guide →Founded 1871
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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 0.9 miles (North Dubuque Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lenox, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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