Iowa City to Mount Rushmore: Road Trip Guide & Distance

623.5 miles 1003.5 km · straight line
748.3 miles estimated 1204.2 km · driving distance
15h 3min estimated drive time
$72 - $89 estimated fuel cost
~1h 45min flight time
288° WNW bearing direction

How far is Iowa City from Mount Rushmore?

The distance from Iowa City to Mount Rushmore is 623.5 miles (1003.5 km) as the crow flies. Mount Rushmore is located WNW of Iowa City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 748.3 miles, taking about 15h 3min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 45min. Both are located in United States — Iowa City in Iowa and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. 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 Iowa City and Mount Rushmore. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Iowa City to Mount Rushmore

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 15h 3min $72 - $89 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 45min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~18h 4min $60–$112* Budget
Train ~19h 34min $90–$262* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Iowa City & Mount Rushmore

Quick Facts

Iowa City
41.66°N, 91.53°W
America/Chicago
204m elevation
Mount Rushmore
43.88°N, 103.46°W
America/Chicago
1745m elevation
Explore more routes from Mount Rushmore

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 208 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 52 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 39.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients