This 107-mile drive from West Union to Iowa City is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Avenue of the Saints, Jamestown Avenue, and Lincoln Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a long, monotonous stretch. It's a perfect option if you're looking for a relatively short trip with a clear destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.5 miles from West Union, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi
47m
Jamestown Avenue
14.7 mi
20m
Lincoln Road
7.1 mi
9m
Jackson Avenue
6.5 mi
9m
I 80
4.2 mi
4m
K Avenue
4 mi
5m
P Avenue
4 mi
5m
31st Avenue
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 42.6 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Union, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on North Vine Street
524 ft·28 sec·North Vine Street
2
Turn left onto US 18
0.3 mi·35 sec·West Bradford Street
3
Turn left onto IA 150
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 150
4
Continue on IA 150
7.1 mi·9 min·Lincoln Road
5
Continue on IA 150
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 150
6
Continue on IA 150
4.0 mi·5 min·K Avenue
7
Turn right onto IA 150
3.2 mi·4 min·100th Street
8
Continue on IA 150
1.8 mi·2 min·Main Street East
9
Turn left onto IA 150
4.0 mi·5 min·P Avenue
10
Continue on IA 150
0.4 mi·40 sec·60th Street
11
Turn left onto Palace Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Palace Road
12
Continue on IA 3; IA 150
0.8 mi·1 min·North Frederick Avenue
13
Turn straight onto IA 3; IA 150
438 ft·7 sec·Highway 150
14
Continue on IA 3; IA 150
0.1 mi·15 sec·1st Avenue Northeast
15
Continue on IA 150
0.3 mi·25 sec·1st Avenue Southeast
16
Turn straight onto IA 150
1.3 mi·2 min·Rock Island Road
17
Continue on Palace Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Palace Road
18
Continue on IA 150
1.5 mi·2 min·Jackson Avenue
19
Continue on IA 150
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street North
20
Continue on IA 150
5.0 mi·7 min·Jackson Avenue
21
Continue on IA 150
4.3 mi·6 min·Jamestown Avenue
22
Continue on IA 150
1.0 mi·1 min·5th Avenue Northeast
23
Turn right onto IA 150; CR D22
0.1 mi·18 sec·1st Street East
24
Turn left onto IA 150
1.4 mi·2 min·3rd Avenue Southeast
25
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10 mi·14 min·Jamestown Avenue
26
Continue on IA 150
3.8 mi·5 min·31st Avenue
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
28
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
43 mi·47 min·Avenue of the Saints
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
30
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
31
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi·4 min·I 80
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
33
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
34
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
35
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
36
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 23-minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Iowa City with a relaxed pace. Since there are no designated stops mentioned and the drive is relatively short, you have flexibility for spontaneous breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when transitioning between the main roads; the estimated $17 fuel cost is a good baseline. A helpful tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your GPS is set to avoid highways if you prefer a more local feel, or to be prepared for frequent navigation prompts.
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 53.5 miles from West Union, IA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 56m
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 West Union, 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 West Union, IA
This is one driving day of about 107 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from West Union, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 42.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 99.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|IA 150 / State Highway 150
Turn left onto IA 150 / State Highway 150
Navigation decision point
4
40.6 mi into trip|~59m in|IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Turn right onto IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Navigation decision point
4
40.7 mi into trip|~59m in|IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
99.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 80
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80
5
99.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
$16.73 one way
$33.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.37
$36.73
premium
$4.89
$20.59
$41.18
diesel
$5.61
$23.62
$47.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.36
$4.28
EV Truck/SUV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
West Union, IA
Late night
in West Union on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Late night
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
54 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
26 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
2h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 6% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. This suggests a route that emphasizes local roads and potentially more varied scenery and traffic patterns compared to a pure interstate experience. The profile indicates a driving experience that requires your attention, with frequent adjustments in direction as you make your way south.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IA 150 / State Highway 150.
Driving Effort6/10
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 107 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.4 miles (IA 150 / State Highway 150): Navigation decision point; at 40.6 miles (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 40.7 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 107 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IA 150 / State Highway 150): Navigation decision point; at 40.6 miles (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 40.7 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.
