Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Iowa City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 59m

Distance

97.7 mi

157 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 51m ★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 54m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Ottumwa, IA, IA

Ottumwa, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Iowa City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 97.7-mile drive from Ottumwa, IA to Iowa City, IA is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 59 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 34, the Avenue of the Saints, and Old US Highway 218. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, this journey through the Midwest is quite economical. The mixed drive profile means you'll experience a variety of road types, making it an engaging, albeit short, excursion. It's a perfect route for a spontaneous day trip, offering a smooth transition between two points within Iowa.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.8 miles from Ottumwa, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 34 47.5 mi 55m
Avenue of the Saints 42.6 mi 49m
Old US Highway 218 1.1 mi 1m
South Gilbert Street 1.1 mi 2m
East Main Street 1 mi 1m
Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast 0.9 mi 1m
South Riverside Drive 0.7 mi 1m
Old Highway 218 South 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 34 — 47.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Fourth Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · West Fourth Street
2

Turn right onto North Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · North Jefferson Street
3

Turn left onto US 34 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
4

Turn straight onto US 34 Business

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Roemer Avenue
5

Turn left onto US 34; US 63

0.7 mi · 57 sec · US 34; US 63
6

Take the exit onto US 34

47 mi · 54 min · US 34
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 234
8

Turn left onto US 218 Business

1.1 mi · 1 min · Old US Highway 218
9

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

43 mi · 49 min · Avenue of the Saints
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Airport
11

Continue on Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast

0.9 mi · 1 min · Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
12

Continue on Old Highway 218 South

0.6 mi · 1 min · Old Highway 218 South
13

Continue on South Riverside Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Riverside Drive
14

Turn right onto US 6

0.4 mi · 1 min · Highway 6 East
15

Turn left onto South Gilbert Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Gilbert Street
16

Arrive at destination

South Gilbert Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of under two hours, this drive from Ottumwa to Iowa City offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. You can easily leave in the morning and be in Iowa City by lunchtime. With only 97.7 miles to cover, you likely won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially with the $15 estimated fuel cost. For this specific route, be aware that you'll have a significant 47.5-mile stretch on US 34, so ensure you're comfortable with that segment before setting out.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.8 miles from Ottumwa, IA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.5 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 21 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.8 miles or 58m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 34m

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 Ottumwa, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ottumwa, IA

This is one driving day of about 97.7 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ottumwa, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 34 for about 47.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Henry County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Pleasant, IA

49 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

Maharishi Vedic City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Pleasant, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Ottumwa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.7

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano and Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Iowa City, Iowa

0.1 mi

Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.4 mi

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 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

Baroncini Ristorante Italiano and Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $60 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13193372048

Visit website

Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13193541642

Visit website

SAIGON'S CORNER Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13193337233

Visit website

Szechuan House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+13193386788

Visit website

Masala Indian Cuisine

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+13193386199

Visit website

Le Gourmet Korean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13194710959

Visit website

La Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13195196999

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 97.7

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 97.7

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 97.7

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 97.7

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 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 97.7

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 49.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Jefferson Street

Turn right onto North Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 34 Business / East Main Street

Turn left onto US 34 Business / East Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 34

Take the exit onto US 34

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

4
49.2 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 234
4
49.6 mi into trip | ~59m in | US 218 Business / Old US Highway 218

Turn left onto US 218 Business / Old US Highway 218

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.27 one way

$30.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.77 $33.54
premium $4.89 $18.80 $37.60
diesel $5.61 $21.57 $43.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.3 0 $10.26 $4.69
Efficient EV 24.4 0 $8.55 $3.91
EV Truck/SUV 39.1 0 $13.68 $6.25

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Ottumwa, IA

Late night in Ottumwa on Sunday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Iowa City, IA

Late night in Iowa City on Sunday

Local time

5:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Mount Pleasant, IA

49 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

3 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

1h 59m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 51% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.5 miles on US 34, providing a solid segment of consistent travel. As you progress, the road will transition between different types of thoroughfares, offering variety without being overly complex. This blend of highway and other roads means you'll get a good feel for the Iowa landscape without feeling stuck on a single monotonous stretch.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.5 mi on US 34.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North Jefferson Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 59m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (North Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 34 Business / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (US 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Starting in Ottumwa, IA

Full guide →

Ottumwa is a city in South Central Iowa.

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 1h 59m. Total distance: 97.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (51%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.5 miles on US 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (North Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 34 Business / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (US 34): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Iowa City, IA

Akron, IA 340.4 mi · 6h 23m Osceola County, IA 313.1 mi · 6h 24m Council Bluffs, IA 241.6 mi · 4h 29m Red Oak, IA 231.9 mi · 4h 38m

More from Ottumwa, IA

Council Bluffs, IA 217.4 mi · 4h 7m Dubuque, IA 179.2 mi · 3h 6m Bettendorf, IA 137.1 mi · 2h 53m Ames, IA 117.3 mi · 2h 19m Cedar Rapids, IA 108.8 mi · 2h 22m West Des Moines, IA 93.6 mi · 1h 52m

More trips to Iowa City, IA

George, IA 328.5 mi Hull, IA 321.8 mi Sioux City, IA 313.1 mi Le Mars, IA 300.5 mi Sanborn, IA 299.7 mi Arnolds Park, IA 290.3 mi
Escape planner: Ottumwa, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Ottumwa, IA or browse trips ending in Iowa City, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.