Iowa City to Sterling, Illinois: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Iowa City from Sterling, Illinois?

The distance from Iowa City to Sterling, Illinois is 95 miles (152.9 km) as the crow flies. Sterling, Illinois is located E of Iowa City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 118.7 miles, taking about 2h 23min. A direct flight would take roughly 41min. Both are located in United States — Iowa City in Iowa and Sterling, Illinois in Illinois.

This is a quick and easy drive, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can easily make the round trip in a single day. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Iowa City and Sterling, Illinois. 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.