Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Avoca, IA

Drive Time

4h 6m

Distance

213.7 mi

344 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Diana ✨

Trip Overview

Traveling from Cedar Rapids to Avoca covers 213.7 miles across the Iowa landscape, making for a straightforward trek that lasts about 4 hours and 6 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel, keeping in mind that the route utilizes a mix of I-80, the Lincoln Highway, and Marshalltown Boulevard. This trip keeps you firmly within the Midwest, offering a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two Iowa points. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while maintaining steady progress.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

106.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed drive profile, balancing fast interstate transit with segments that provide a change of pace. With a highway share of 48 percent, you will spend roughly half your time on major routes, including a significant 88.3-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-80. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move between the interstate and local sections like the Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard. The transition between these road types helps break up the monotony, ensuring you are not stuck in one type of driving environment for the entire four-hour duration. It is a balanced experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 213.7 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 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: W...

2.6 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: I...

11.1 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...

110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

129.1 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha

Towns Along This Route

Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Avoca, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.

Marshalltown

11.1 mi in | ~15m

Des Moines

75.9 mi in | ~1h 30m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	88.3 mi	1h 35m
Lincoln Highway	37.3 mi	43m
Marshalltown Boulevard	33.7 mi	39m
73rd Street	24.4 mi	28m
US 65	13 mi	15m
Collins Road Northeast	8.2 mi	9m
16th Avenue Southwest	2.4 mi	2m
US 59	1.5 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 88.3 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Avoca, IA.

Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 13 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward IA 100

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 20 sec

Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City

Merge onto IA 100

8.2 mi · 9 min · Collins Road Northeast

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

Merge onto US 30; US 218

2.4 mi · 2 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

Continue on US 30; US 218

24 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

Continue on US 30

37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

Turn left onto IA 330

34 mi · 39 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

Continue on US 65; IA 330

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Take the exit onto US 65

13 mi · 15 min · US 65

Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines Use the none lane.

Continue on I 80; I 35

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 80; I 35

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

83 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan

Turn straight onto US 59

1.5 mi · 3 min · US 59

Arrive at destination

US 59

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 213.7-mile journey, try to plan your departure during off-peak hours to maintain your estimated four-hour travel time. Since the trip only requires one stop, consider utilizing that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the $32 fuel expenditure. Because the longest stretch of the drive is 88.3 miles on I-80, ensure you check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary stops in remote areas. The inherent flexibility of this one-day route allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions. Keep a close eye on the transition points between the Lincoln Highway and I-80, as these shifts often require a quick adjustment to your driving speed.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 106.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 106.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avoca, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA

This is one driving day of about 213.7 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 88.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.8 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 2h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ankeny, IA

107 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ankeny, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.3 miles.

Arriving in Avoca, IA

The final approach into Avoca, 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 Avoca, 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

$32.46 one way

$64.92 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$35.78	$71.56
premium	$4.80	$40.34	$80.68
diesel	$5.64	$47.48	$94.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.1	0	$22.44	$10.26
Efficient EV	53.4	0	$18.70	$8.55
EV Truck/SUV	85.5	1	$29.92	$13.68

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Cedar Rapids, IA

Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday

Local time

1:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Avoca, IA

Afternoon in Avoca on Sunday

Local time

1:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Avoca, IA covers 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 106.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Avoca, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.

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Return Trip

Avoca, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

214.1 mi 4h 7m

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Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Avoca, IA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Avoca, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cedar Rapids, IA

Avoca, IA

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 6m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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