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Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belmond, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

148.4 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Belmond, IA, IA

Belmond, IA

Uiliam Nörnberg

Trip Overview

This 148.4-mile drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belmond, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking around 2 hours and 57 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on the Avenue of the Saints and US 69, with a small portion on Little Wall Lake Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, this journey through the Midwest is a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B. The drive is a turn-heavy local experience, making it a relaxed way to travel within Iowa.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.2 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 148.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (5%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 148.4-mile trip. Only about 5% of the route is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on more direct, local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, offering a good period of consistent travel before navigating through smaller roads. The character of the drive shifts from more open highway to a more intricate network of local routes as you approach your destination.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 118 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Crystal Drive Northeast.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

3
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue onto Crystal Drive Northeast

Navigation decision point

4
49.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 69

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 69
4
139.4 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | US 69; IA 3 / 220th Street

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3 / 220th Street

Navigation decision point

5
148.4 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | 2nd Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Northeast

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 118 mi 2h 13m
Little Wall Lake Road 19.5 mi 26m
US 69 8 mi 11m
32nd Street Northeast 1.2 mi 2m
220th Street 0.8 mi 1m
East Main Street 0.1 mi <1m
Tiperary Drive Northeast 0.1 mi <1m
Crystal Drive Northeast <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 118 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

48 mi · 52 min · Avenue of the Saints
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27

70 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Avenue of the Saints
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 69
8

Turn right onto US 69

19 mi · 26 min · Little Wall Lake Road
9

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · 220th Street
10

Turn straight onto US 69; IA 3

8.0 mi · 11 min · US 69; IA 3
11

Turn right onto East Main Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · East Main Street
12

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Northeast

61 ft · 2 sec · 2nd Avenue Northeast
13

Arrive at destination

2nd Avenue Northeast

Trip Plan

Since this trip is just under 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Cedar Rapids in the morning allows you to reach Belmond with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop implied by the data, you can choose to make it brief or skip it altogether if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on US 69 is 118 miles, and it’s wise to be prepared before entering that segment.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.2 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118 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 33 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.2 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belmond, 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 148.4 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 118 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.2 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waterloo, IA

74 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.

Popular next leg

Waterloo, IA to Belmond, IA

86.2 mi · 1h 57m

Pacing Suggestions

Elk Run Heights, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.2 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 Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118 miles.

Arriving in Belmond, IA

The final approach into Belmond, 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 Belmond, IA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.20 one way

$46.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.47 $50.95
premium $4.89 $28.56 $57.12
diesel $5.61 $32.76 $65.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.5 0 $15.58 $7.12
Efficient EV 37.1 0 $12.99 $5.94
EV Truck/SUV 59.4 0 $20.78 $9.50

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cedar Rapids, IA

Morning in Cedar Rapids on Friday

Local time

11:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belmond, IA

Morning in Belmond on Friday

Local time

11:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Waterloo, IA

74 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

2 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 57m 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 Belmond, IA covers 148.4 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Little Wall Lake Road, US 69. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 74.2 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 $23.20 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Cedar Rapids, IA to Belmond, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Belmond, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

148.4 mi 2h 57m

Explore more options from Cedar Rapids, IA or browse trips ending in Belmond, IA.

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