Traveling from Windsor Heights to Iowa City is a straightforward 119.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes. Since you are moving entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the trip. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel is a safe estimate for this distance. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly suited as a simple one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, the lack of required stops makes it a very efficient connection.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Windsor Heights, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
105.8 mi
1h 54m
John MacVicar Freeway
9.3 mi
12m
North Dubuque Street
1 mi
2m
North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
2m
63rd Street
0.5 mi
1m
University Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
66th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Kimball Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 105.8 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor Heights, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on 66th Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·66th Street
2
Turn right onto University Avenue
0.3 mi·30 sec·University Avenue
3
Turn right onto IA 28
0.5 mi·1 min·63rd Street
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-235 eastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
9.3 mi·12 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 137A-BToward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, DavenportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 137AToward I 80 East: DavenportUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 80
106 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Downtown
10
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Dubuque Street
11
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft·21 sec·Kimball Road
12
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi·2 min·North Gilbert Street
13
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops on this 119.1-mile route, ensure you are fueled up and ready to go before you pull out of Windsor Heights. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the drive means you should pay close attention to your navigation apps to stay on track during the initial local segments. With the total time under two hours, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing a formal break. Use the time saved on this direct route to maximize your arrival window in Iowa City.
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 59.6 miles from Windsor Heights, IA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m
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 Windsor Heights, 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 Windsor Heights, IA
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Windsor Heights, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 105.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 10.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|University Avenue
Turn right onto University Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I-235 east
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-235 east
5
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
10.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137A-B
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
9
10.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.46
$40.92
premium
$4.89
$22.94
$45.88
diesel
$5.61
$26.32
$52.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.52
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
EV Truck/SUV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Windsor Heights, IA
Morning
in Windsor Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Iowa City, IA
Morning
in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
60 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 17m 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 as you navigate your way out of the Windsor Heights area. You will start by utilizing University Avenue, 63rd Street, and I-235 east, transitioning through local roads rather than relying on a long-haul interstate grind. Because this route has a 0% highway share, your focus will be on local navigation rather than high-speed cruising. The nature of this drive requires more attention to turns and intersections compared to a standard freeway trek. This personality makes for a more active, hands-on driving experience as you transition between these two Iowa locations.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near University Avenue.
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 119.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 miles (University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Windsor Heights, IA and Iowa City, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
Council Bluffs
10.6 mi in|~15m
Davenport
10.6 mi in|~15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on I 80. 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 0.2 miles (University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Iowa City, IA before heading back.
