Connecting the riverbanks of Bellevue to the urban hub of Cedar Rapids, this 87.3-mile journey across Iowa is a straightforward trip that takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $13 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable option for a quick getaway. You will primarily utilize US 151, US 61, and the Great River Road to navigate between these two Midwestern locales. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently while keeping your travel budget low.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Bellevue, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 87.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 73% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. The most significant portion of the journey is a 58.1-mile uninterrupted stretch along US 151, which allows for consistent speeds and steady progress. While you start your trip near the Great River Road, the character of the drive quickly transitions into the efficient, high-speed environment of the primary US highways. You won't find many technical curves or local detours here, as the route is designed for direct transit. It is a reliable, predictable drive that prioritizes speed and ease of navigation over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and Great River Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near US 151.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 50m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (US 151): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 81.5 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 84.7 miles (30th Street Drive Southeast): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
23.3 mi into trip|~32m in|US 151
Take the exit onto US 151
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|IA 100
Turn right onto IA 100
Navigation decision point
4
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|30th Street Drive Southeast
Turn right onto 30th Street Drive Southeast
Navigation decision point
3
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|Lindale Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast
Navigation decision point
4
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|Tiffany Drive Northeast
Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
58.1 mi
1h 7m
Great River Road
16.7 mi
22m
US 61
2.9 mi
4m
IA 100
2.6 mi
3m
South Riverview Street
2.5 mi
4m
30th Street Drive Southeast
1.5 mi
2m
Bellevue Road
0.7 mi
1m
East Post Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on US 52
2.5 mi·4 min·South Riverview Street
2
Continue on US 52
7.6 mi·10 min·Great River Road
3
Continue on US 52
0.5 mi·54 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi·12 min·Great River Road
5
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi·1 min·Bellevue Road
6
Turn left onto US 61; US 151; US 52
2.9 mi·4 min·US 61; US 151; US 52
7
Take the exit onto US 151
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 151
8
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
9
Turn right onto IA 100
2.6 mi·3 min·IA 100
10
Turn left onto East Post Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Post Road
11
Turn right onto 30th Street Drive Southeast
1.5 mi·2 min·30th Street Drive Southeast
12
Continue on 29th Street Drive Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·29th Street Drive Southeast
13
Continue on 29th Street Northeast
0.4 mi·40 sec·29th Street Northeast
14
Turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi·33 sec·Lindale Avenue Northeast
15
Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast
0.1 mi·26 sec·Tiffany Drive Northeast
16
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule without worrying about complex timing. You can easily complete the entire 87.3-mile drive in one go, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach Cedar Rapids. If you prefer to stay on schedule, be mindful that the longest stretch on US 151 covers more than half the total distance, so ensure your fuel levels are sufficient before merging onto that segment. Take advantage of the quick duration to maximize your time in Cedar Rapids rather than spending your day on the road. Keep your eyes on the road and enjoy the efficiency of this direct Midwest transit corridor.
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 43.7 miles from Bellevue, IA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 56m 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 31m
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 Bellevue, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bellevue, IA
This is one driving day of about 87.3 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bellevue, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 151 for about 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.7 mi from Bellevue, IA
· 56m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.65 one way
$27.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.99
$29.97
premium
$4.89
$16.80
$33.60
diesel
$5.61
$19.27
$38.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.64
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bellevue, IA
Late night
in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Epworth, IA
44 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 50m 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 Bellevue, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 87.3 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, Great River Road, US 61. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.7 miles from Bellevue, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.65 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.
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 50m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.3 miles (US 151): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 81.5 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 84.7 miles (30th Street Drive Southeast): Navigation decision point.
The route from Bellevue, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
