Iowa City to Sheffield is 149.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Iowa. Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip. Consider this a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Iowa communities.
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 miles from Iowa City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
85.8 mi
1h 35m
210th Street
18 mi
24m
State Highway 3
12.5 mi
17m
4th Street Northeast
10.4 mi
15m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
I 80
4.1 mi
4m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
230th Street
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City, IA and Sheffield, 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 right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
10
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Washington Expressway
11
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi·51 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
12
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
13
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi·1 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
16
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
15 mi·17 min·Avenue of the Saints
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
18
Turn left onto IA 3
1.8 mi·2 min·230th Street
19
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 3
20
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi·11 min·210th Street
21
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 3
22
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi·10 min·210th Street
23
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi·2 min·South Street
24
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi·2 min·210th Street
25
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi·11 min·State Highway 3
26
Continue on IA 3
1.1 mi·2 min·Central Avenue East
27
Turn right onto US 65
10 mi·15 min·4th Street Northeast
28
Turn left onto East Gilman Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Gilman Street
29
Arrive at destination
West Gilman Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 9m duration and 149.9-mile distance, this trip is easily doable in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to add more if needed, or to push through without extended breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 85.8-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints, as services might be more spaced out on local roads. A good tip is to top off your tank before leaving Iowa City to ensure you have ample fuel for the local road sections.
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 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75 miles or 1h 28m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheffield, 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 149.9 miles and 3h 9m.
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 Avenue of the Saints for about 85.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 10.7
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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 103.6 — 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...
6
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
4
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|IA 3 / 230th Street
Turn left onto IA 3 / 230th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.44 one way
$46.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.73
$51.46
premium
$4.89
$28.85
$57.69
diesel
$5.61
$33.10
$66.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.74
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$20.99
$9.59
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sheffield, IA
Morning
in Sheffield on Sunday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive', with only 17% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant amount of local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 85.8 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, offering a more continuous segment before the local roads take over. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in speed as you transition between different road types.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 149.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 149.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sheffield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Sheffield, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
