This 201.2-mile drive from Lake Mills, IA to Iowa City, IA takes approximately 4 hours and 2 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Avenue of the Saints and US 18, with about 50% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $31. This is a straightforward Midwest drive, connecting two points within the same region, offering a practical transit experience rather than a heavily scenic one. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Iowa.
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
100.6 miles from Lake Mills, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
81.9 mi
1h 30m
US 18
81.7 mi
1h 34m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
410th Street
5.4 mi
9m
I 80
4.2 mi
4m
Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi
5m
Washington Street
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 81.9 mi, about 1h 30m
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 Lake Mills, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on US 69
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
2
Continue on CR 105
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway 105
3
Continue on CR 105; I 35 ALT
1.5 mi·2 min·County Road 105
4
Turn right onto Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi·5 min·Bluebill Avenue
5
Continue on North Western Street
1.0 mi·1 min·North Western Street
6
Turn left onto CR A38
5.4 mi·9 min·410th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Blanco River
8
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
17 mi·18 min·Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
10
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
11
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
12
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
13
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
19
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
21
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
22
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
23
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
24
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour journey, consider departing early in the morning to allow for flexibility with any unexpected delays or the desire for a spontaneous stop. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you have plenty of control over your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 81.9 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, to avoid any unnecessary detours. The $31 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for fluctuations.
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 100.6 miles from Lake Mills, IA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.9 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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 2h 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 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, IA
This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Lake Mills, 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 81.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$1 to $10
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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 193.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8 mi into trip|~12m in|CR A38 / 410th Street
Turn left onto CR A38 / 410th Street
Navigation decision point
5
30.9 mi into trip|~41m in|US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
6
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.71 one way
$59.43 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$32.80
$65.60
premium
$4.72
$37.36
$74.71
diesel
$4.80
$37.99
$75.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
EV Truck/SUV
80.5
1
$28.17
$12.88
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Lake Mills, IA
Morning
in Lake Mills on Sunday
Local time
6:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
6:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
86°F
Waterloo, IA
101 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
2 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
4h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive offers a mixed experience, with 50% of the route utilizing highways for quicker travel. You'll encounter an 81.9-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, which is the longest uninterrupted segment, allowing for steady progress. The Leo P Rooff Expressway also contributes to the highway portion. Expect a blend of faster-paced driving on these main roads with potential for more local road travel depending on the exact path taken between them. Overall, it's a functional drive designed for covering distance efficiently.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.9 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in near CR A38 / 410th Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 201.2 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 8 miles (CR A38 / 410th Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,289 ft666 ft
Total Climb
99 ft
Total Descent
722 ft
Highest Point
1,289 ft
Elevation Range
623 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Mills, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Blanco River, Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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 4h 2m. Total distance: 201.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.9 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 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 Iowa City, 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 8 miles (CR A38 / 410th Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Iowa City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
