Iowa City, IA to Osceola County, IA is 313.1 miles and takes about 6h 24m via Avenue of the Saints, US 59, and Silver Avenue, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa from east to west. Given its 1-day recommendation and the fact that it's a turn-heavy local drive, you'll want to be prepared for a more involved navigation experience than a simple interstate cruise. The longest continuous stretch is about 230 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, so plan your stops accordingly to break up the drive.
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
156.6 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
230 mi
4h 22m
US 59
13.6 mi
18m
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi
19m
Roosevelt Avenue
13 mi
17m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
470th Street
4.1 mi
5m
I 80
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 230 mi, about 4h 22m
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 Iowa City, IA and Osceola County, 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
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·Avenue of the Saints
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
159 mi·3 hr 3 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
11
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
12
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
13
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
14
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
15
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi·2 min·V Avenue
16
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 3
17
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi·4 min·530th Street
18
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
19
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi·18 min·US 59
20
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi·5 min·470th Street
21
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi·9 min·Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·2 min·South Rerick Avenue
23
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi·8 min·Silver Avenue
24
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi·1 min·320th Street
25
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi·17 min·Roosevelt Avenue
26
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·190th Street
27
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Silver Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 313.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Iowa City to maximize daylight and give yourself ample time to navigate the numerous turns. With a recommended 1-day completion time, you'll want to pace yourself; the longest stretch on Avenue of the Saints is 230 miles, so plan for at least one substantial stop before reaching Osceola County. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as you'll be on local roads more than highways, and fuel availability might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $49, so budget accordingly. Utilize your GPS or a reliable navigation app, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route makes it easy to miss a turn.
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 156.6 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230 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 69 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 2m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 313.1 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 230 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 278.9 — 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...
4
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
237.5 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.24 one way
$92.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.05
$102.09
premium
$4.72
$58.13
$116.27
diesel
$4.80
$59.12
$118.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.88
$15.03
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.40
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.83
$20.04
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Iowa City, IA
Evening
in Iowa City on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 14 at 9:31AM CDT until July 17 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 3:20AM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Osceola County, IA
Evening
in Osceola County on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 14 at 9:31AM CDT until July 17 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 3:20AM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
62°F
Hampton, IA
157 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
4 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
6h 24m 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?
Expect a route with a significant number of turns, characteristic of a more local driving experience, as indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. Only 8% of this journey is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on state and county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 230 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, offering a sustained period of travel before you need to make a significant turn. This suggests a drive that winds through varied landscapes rather than a straight shot across the state, requiring your attention to navigation.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230 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 15 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 313.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 78.3 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 24m. Total distance: 313.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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 Osceola County, 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 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 78.3 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Osceola County, IA before the return drive.
