Indianapolis to Iowa City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

310.2 miles 499.2 km · straight line
362.7 miles actual route 583.7 km · driving distance
6h 46min estimated drive time
$35 - $43 estimated fuel cost
~1h 7min flight time
297° WNW bearing direction

How far is Indianapolis from Iowa City?

The distance from Indianapolis to Iowa City is 310.2 miles (499.2 km) as the crow flies. Iowa City is located WNW of Indianapolis. By car, the driving distance is approximately 362.7 miles, taking about 6h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 7min. Both are located in United States — Indianapolis in Indiana and Iowa City in Iowa.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Indianapolis and Iowa City. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Indianapolis to Iowa City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 6h 46min $35 - $43 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 7min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~8h 7min $29–$54* Budget
Train ~6h 26min $44–$127* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Indianapolis & Iowa City

Quick Facts

Indianapolis
39.77°N, 86.16°W
America/New_York
218m elevation
Iowa City
41.66°N, 91.53°W
America/Chicago
204m elevation
Explore more routes from Iowa City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 103 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 26 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 80.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM