Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 19m

Distance

166.6 mi

268 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 7m ★

6 AM

3h 19m

8 AM

3h 43m

10 AM

3h 27m

12 PM

3h 25m

3 PM

3h 29m

5 PM

3h 42m

8 PM

3h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Forest City, IA

Nino Souza

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, 330th Street, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.05 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

83.3 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 166.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 19m drive with frequent turns across 166.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.

Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 135.3 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 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 49.9 miles in near I 380.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 49.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.4 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.2 miles (CR B20 / 300th Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

49.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 380

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

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

Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

59.4 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | US 218

Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

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

Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

147.2 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | CR B20 / 300th Street

Turn left onto CR B20 / 300th Street

Navigation decision point

148.8 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | CR S28 / Grouse Avenue

Turn right onto CR S28 / Grouse Avenue

Navigation decision point

166.5 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | South 4th Street

Turn left onto South 4th Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Avenue of the Saints	135.3 mi	2h 32m
330th Street	8 mi	10m
I 380	5.6 mi	7m
310th Street	5 mi	6m
Leo P Rooff Expressway	2.1 mi	2m
Balsam Avenue	2 mi	3m
300th Street	1.6 mi	2m
US 69	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 135.3 mi, about 2h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

48 mi · 52 min · Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 380

Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

Continue on US 218

0.2 mi · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

Continue on US 218

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

Continue on US 218

1.3 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street

Continue on US 218

1.4 mi · 1 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

Take the exit onto US 218

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 218

Keep slight right at fork onto US 218

0.5 mi · 58 sec · US 218

Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

87 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 58 sec

Turn left onto CR B20

1.6 mi · 2 min · 300th Street

Turn right onto CR S28

1.0 mi · 1 min · Grouse Avenue

Continue on CR B20

5.0 mi · 6 min · 310th Street

Turn right onto CR S14

2.0 mi · 3 min · Balsam Avenue

Turn left onto CR B14

8.0 mi · 10 min · 330th Street

Turn right onto US 69

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 69

Turn left onto East J Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · East J Street

Turn left onto South 4th Street

358 ft · 15 sec · South 4th Street

Arrive at destination

South 4th Street

Trip Plan

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 83.3 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 37 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 83.3 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, 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 166.6 miles and 3h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 83.3 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 37m into the drive

city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waverly, IA

83 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

Elk Run Heights, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waverly, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.3 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 135.3 miles.

Arriving in Forest City, IA

The final approach into Forest City, 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 Forest City, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193936000

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.5 mi

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2.8 mi

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2.5 mi

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193936000

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193950450

Visit website

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198262000

Visit website

Rio Burritos

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+13199815001

Visit website

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193772100

Visit website

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13195504517

Visit website

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+13193663177

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13192005558

Visit website

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Opus Concert Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13193668203

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 130.9

Mason City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 47.6

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.05 one way

$52.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$28.60	$57.19
premium	$4.89	$32.06	$64.12
diesel	$5.61	$36.78	$73.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50	$17.49	$8.00
Efficient EV	41.7	$14.58	$6.66
EV Truck/SUV	66.6	$23.32	$10.66

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 17, 2026

Origin

Cedar Rapids, IA

Morning in Cedar Rapids on Saturday

Local time

10:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Clear

SE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Forest City, IA

Morning in Forest City on Saturday

Local time

10:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Waverly, IA

83 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

15 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

3h 19m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Forest City, IA covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, 330th Street, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 83.3 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 $26.05 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, 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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Return Trip

Forest City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

167.4 mi 3h 20m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Forest City, IA

Nearby Places

HuHot Mongolian Grill

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

HuHot Mongolian Grill

Red Lobster

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

Rio Burritos

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Scott's Family Restaurant

Cobble Hill

Stack Wellness Cafe

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

Groundswell Cafe

Veritas Cafe

Café Saint Pio

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

Opus Concert Cafe

Trading Grounds

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Bistro at Blooms

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cedar Rapids, IA

Forest City, IA

Same local time

15 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Forest City, IA?

How this page is built

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