Cities Near Iowa City
Cities near Iowa City, Iowa: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Iowa City, Iowa is Cedar Rapids, about 25 mi (40 km) away — roughly 48 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 25 mi / 40 km | 48 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Davenport | 50 mi / 81 km | 1 hr 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Waterloo | 71 mi / 114 km | 2 hr 7 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Dubuque | 73 mi / 118 km | 1 hr 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ankeny | 107 mi / 172 km | 2 hr 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Des Moines | 107 mi / 173 km | 2 hr 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ames | 111 mi / 178 km | 2 hr 34 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| North Peoria | 120 mi / 194 km | 2 hr 48 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Rockford | 132 mi / 213 km | 3 hr 4 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Madison | 146 mi / 235 km | 3 hr 24 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Iowa City
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo, Dubuque. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Iowa City
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Ankeny, Des Moines, Ames, North Peoria, Rockford. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Iowa City include Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo, Dubuque, Ankeny. The closest is Cedar Rapids, about 25 miles (40 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.