Origin
Altoona, IA
Afternoon in Altoona on Wednesday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
111.5 mi
179 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 111.5-mile journey from Altoona, Iowa, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily via local roads, including segments of the historic Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, and 73rd Street, with only a small portion on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $17, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward nature, this route is ideal for a leisurely day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 111.5-mile trip. With only a 7% highway share, you'll be spending most of your time on surface streets and county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway. This route offers a more connected-to-the-ground driving experience, allowing you to see more of the local landscape as you transition from Altoona towards Cedar Rapids. It's a route that keeps you engaged with frequent changes in direction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 111.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
99.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
5
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
7
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
7
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
5
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
99.4 mi in
|
~1h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 32.1 mi | 37m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Grant Street South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
6
Continue on Grant Street South
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grant Street South
7
Turn right onto US 65; IA 330
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
10
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
12
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
IA 100
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
16
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
20
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
21
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
22
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
23
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 14-minute drive, starting in the morning offers the most flexibility for any spontaneous stops you might consider, though none are specifically noted on this route. With a fuel cost of approximately $17, you should have plenty of range to reach your destination without needing to refuel, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to the various local roads, especially the turn-heavy nature of the drive, to ensure you stay on track for Cedar Rapids. The 37-mile stretch on Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment, so plan accordingly if you prefer to break up longer driving periods.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.8 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 111.5 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.8 mi from Altoona, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA
The final approach into Cedar Rapids, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cedar Rapids, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.43 one way
$34.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.46 | $42.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.62 | $49.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.71 | $5.35 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.61 | $7.14 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 111.5 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.8 miles from Altoona, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 111.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cedar Rapids, IA
More trips to Cedar Rapids, IA
Explore more options from Altoona, IA or browse trips ending in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Altoona, IA or Cedar Rapids, IA on MapSof.net.