Iowa City to Chicago road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Iowa City to Chicago drive are Davenport, Dixon and Naperville. The distance by car from Iowa City to Chicago is 222 miles, with a 3h23m driving time.
Planning an Iowa City to Chicago road trip itinerary
An Iowa City to Chicago road trip takes you from the former capital of Iowa to the birthplace of the skyscraper.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Highlights of Iowa City include the Old Capitol Building, Iowa’s first capitol, and the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Iowa City to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Iowa City to Chicago is 222 miles. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 23 minutes. The quickest route is generally along the I-80 then the I-88.
The best stops to add to an Iowa City to Chicago road trip itinerary are Davenport, Dixon and Naperville.
Iowa City to Chicago road trip stops: Davenport, Iowa
On the Mississippi River, Davenport is mostly appealing for the riverside parks. Centennial Park is in the centre, while Credit Island Park occupies an island in the Mississippi. Otherwise, the Family Museum provides wholesome fun for all ages, the Vander Veer Botanical Park makes for pleasant strolling and the Buffalo Bill Museum delves into one of the Wild West’s most famous characters.
Iowa City to Chicago drive: Dixon, Illinois
Two famous American names got started around Dixon, Illinois. One is former president Ronald Reagan, who was born in Illinois. Between 1920 and 1924, he lived at what is now the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home. It’s a simple family house that is now on the National Register of Historic Places and open to visitors.
The other is John Deere, who was a handyman and toolmaker in the village of Grand Detour, just to the north of Chicago. His workshop would eventually morph into a tractor and agricultural machinery empire.
At the John Deere Historic Site, you can now watch blacksmithery demonstrations at a replica of Deere’s workshop and tour the original family home.
Best attractions between Iowa City and Chicago: Naperville, Illinois
Naperville has long since been subsumed into Chicago’s sprawling suburbia, but it has a few things going for it. The Riverwalk Park on the DuPage River is lovely for a waterside walk, but it also includes a playground, fishing pier, amphitheater, labyrinth and beach.
The Naper Settlement, meanwhile, is an information-packed outdoor history museum. You can also try your hand at indoor skydiving.
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