Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belle Plaine, IA
Drive Time
54m
Distance
41.7 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belle Plaine, IA
Tomás Asurmendi
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward trip through the Iowa landscape, the 41.7-mile journey from Cedar Rapids to Belle Plaine is a practical choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 54 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight planning. Budgeting around $6 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Navigating this route involves a mix of local roads, specifically 73rd Street, Collins Road Northeast, and 15th Avenue. Since both towns reside within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. This is an efficient way to travel between these two points without the complexity of major interstate congestion.
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
20.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will spend the most time on 73rd Street, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch at 21 miles. Because the path relies entirely on local roads, the pace remains steady and demands your full attention behind the wheel. The character of the drive shifts as you transition between the primary corridors of Collins Road Northeast and 15th Avenue. You won't find monotonous highway miles here, but instead a series of turns that keep the journey engaging from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
73rd Street is the longest continuous segment at about 21 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward IA 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 100
6
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...
5
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...
5
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...
4
35.1 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
15th Avenue
Turn left onto 15th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belle Plaine, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
Marshalltown
11.1 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 73rd Street | 21 mi | 24m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| 15th Avenue | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| 13th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 77th Street Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
73rd Street
— 21 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Belle Plaine, IA.
1
Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
2
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
13 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
3
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
5
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward IA 100
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City
9
Merge onto IA 100
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
21 mi
·
24 min
·
73rd Street
13
Turn left onto 15th Avenue
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
15th Avenue
14
At end of road, turn right onto 77th Street Drive
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
77th Street Drive
15
Continue on 13th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
13th Street
16
Turn left onto IA 21
45 ft
·
0 sec
·
7th Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
IA 21
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops along the way, as the 54-minute duration is quick enough to complete in one go. Keep in mind that because this route consists of local roads rather than major highways, you should anticipate varying speed limits and potential traffic signals. Your biggest priority should be staying alert for the frequent turns required by the local road layout. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to ensure your GPS is set to follow 73rd Street, as it accounts for over half of your total mileage and is the primary artery for your travel.
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 20.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 41.7 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.8 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle Plaine, 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 41.7 miles and 54m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on 73rd Street for about 21 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.8 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Belle Plaine, IA
The final approach into Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, 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
$6.33 one way
$12.67 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.98 | $13.96 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.87 | $15.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.26 | $18.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Belle Plaine, IA
Afternoon in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
4:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Marion, IA
21 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
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
54m 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 Cedar Rapids, IA to Belle Plaine, IA covers 41.7 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 73rd Street, Collins Road Northeast, 15th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.8 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 $6.33 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 41.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
On the drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belle Plaine, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
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