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Trip from Le Mars, IA to Iowa City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h

Distance

300.5 mi

484 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 47m ★
6 AM
6h 0m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Iowa, United States

Le Mars, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Iowa City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 300.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this drive from Le Mars to Iowa City takes approximately 6 hours to complete. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stop, though you should budget about $46 for fuel. You will primarily navigate via 220th Street, Highway 20, and the Avenue of the Saints. This journey is best suited for travelers who prefer a direct, local-focused route rather than a standard interstate trek. If you are looking for a straightforward way to cross the state, this path offers a reliable, no-frills connection between these two Iowa hubs.

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

150.2 miles from Le Mars, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 165.9 mi 3h 11m
Avenue of the Saints 64.7 mi 1h 11m
Highway 20 19 mi 22m
United States Highway 20 8.3 mi 10m
Oyens Avenue 7 mi 9m
Lee Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
County Road K64 5 mi 6m
State Highway 3 4.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 165.9 mi, about 3h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Le Mars, IA and Iowa City, IA.

1

Start on 1st Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast
2

Turn left onto IA 3

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast
3

Continue on IA 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast
4

Continue on IA 3

4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
5

Turn right onto County Road K64

5.0 mi · 6 min · County Road K64
6

Continue on Oyens Avenue

7.0 mi · 9 min · Oyens Avenue
7

Turn left onto CR C60

2.0 mi · 2 min · C 60
8

Turn right onto County Road C66

2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road C66
9

Continue on 310th Street

1.4 mi · 1 min · 310th Street
10

Turn straight onto County Highway C66

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Highway C66
11

Continue on Main Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Main Street
12

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 3rd Street
13

Continue on C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
14

Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue
15

Continue on L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
16

Turn left onto US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 20

8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
18

Continue on US 20

166 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street
19

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
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80
21

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
22

Merge onto I 80

4.2 mi · 4 min · I 80
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward Downtown
24

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Dubuque Street
25

Turn left onto Kimball Road

477 ft · 21 sec · Kimball Road
26

Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · North Gilbert Street
27

Arrive at destination

South Gilbert Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a 6-hour route with only one planned stop, it is wise to map out your break early to break up the monotony of the long 220th Street segment. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you reach Iowa City before evening traffic picks up. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer service stations than major interstates. Remember that because this is a turn-heavy drive, your GPS will be your most important passenger; verify your route settings before you depart Le Mars. The flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed, but staying consistent on the longer stretches will help you maintain your arrival schedule.

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 150.2 miles from Le Mars, IA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.9 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 66 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 150.2 miles or 3h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 54m

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 Le Mars, 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 Le Mars, IA

This is one driving day of about 300.5 miles and 6h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Le Mars, 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 220th Street for about 165.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

150 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.

Popular next leg

Cedar Falls, IA to Iowa City, IA

90.3 mi · 1h 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Cherokee, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.2 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 300.5

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.5 mi

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13193381808

Visit website

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

St. Burch Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193417700

Visit website

Nodo Downtown

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13193591181

Visit website

The Encounter Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+13195192044

Visit website

Bluebird Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13193511470

Visit website

The Dandy Lion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193586400

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Power Café

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13193843427

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

Java House Coffee Roasters - First Ave

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+13192482074

Visit website

EMRB Café

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

+13193357126

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 257.5

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 300.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 300.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 300.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 300.5

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 279

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 300.5

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 292.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | IA 3 / 5th Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto IA 3 / 5th Avenue Northeast

Navigation decision point

4
19.9 mi into trip | ~28m in | County Road C66

Turn right onto County Road C66

Navigation decision point

6
34.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | US 20 / Highway 20

Turn left onto US 20 / Highway 20

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
227.9 mi into trip | ~4h 34m 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
292.8 mi into trip | ~5h 46m 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

$46.98 one way

$93.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $51.58 $103.16
premium $4.89 $57.83 $115.66
diesel $5.61 $66.35 $132.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.1 1 $31.55 $14.42
Efficient EV 75.1 0 $26.29 $12.02
EV Truck/SUV 120.2 1 $42.07 $19.23

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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 Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Le Mars, IA

Evening in Le Mars on Saturday

Local time

8:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Iowa City, IA

Evening in Iowa City on Saturday

Local time

8:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

SW 10 to 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

5 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

6h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused experience that feels quite different from a high-speed interstate cruise. With only 12% of the trip categorized as highway driving, you will spend most of your time on secondary roads. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 165.9-mile stretch on 220th Street, which requires sustained attention and frequent navigation. As you transition between these smaller roads, the character of the drive shifts from rural local paths to the more structured Avenue of the Saints. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that demands your focus more than a typical highway commute would.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.9 mi on 220th Street.

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 0.3 miles in near IA 3 / 5th Avenue Northeast.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 300.5 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 0.3 miles (IA 3 / 5th Avenue Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (County Road C66): Navigation decision point; at 34.7 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,229 ft 667 ft

Total Climb

107 ft

Total Descent

669 ft

Highest Point

1,229 ft

~42.9 mi in

Elevation Range

563 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 300.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 165.9 miles on 220th Street. 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 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (IA 3 / 5th Avenue Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (County Road C66): Navigation decision point; at 34.7 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Iowa City, IA before the return drive.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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