Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
37m
Distance
31.6 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, you are looking at a quick 31.6-mile commute across the Iowa Midwest. This journey typically takes about 37 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, the transit is highly economical for solo travelers or small groups. Since there are zero planned stops along the way, you can easily complete the drive in one efficient stretch. It is a straightforward connection between two major regional hubs that prioritizes speed and directness over leisure.
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
15.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because the highway share is zero percent, you will navigate local thoroughfares like Tiffany Drive Northeast, Lindale Avenue Northeast, and 29th Street Northeast throughout the entire trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is effectively nonexistent on Tiffany Drive Northeast, meaning you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering and turns. This route lacks the high-speed isolation of a major highway, offering a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. It is a practical, functional drive that requires your full attention as you transition between these two cities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tiffany Drive Northeast is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Drive Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lindale Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 29th Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Coldstream Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Downtown | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Tiffany Drive Northeast
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Iowa City, IA.
1
Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast
56 ft
·
3 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
2
Continue on Tiffany Drive Northeast
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Tiffany Drive Northeast
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Lindale Avenue Northeast
4
Turn right onto 29th Street Northeast
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
29th Street Northeast
5
Continue on Coldstream Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Coldstream Avenue Northeast
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
7
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 80
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 80 East: Davenport
10
Merge slight left
4.2 mi
·
4 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Downtown
12
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
13
Turn left onto Kimball Road
476 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
14
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 37-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule best. You do not need to worry about complex fueling logistics given the low $5 cost, but checking your fuel gauge before leaving ensures a stress-free arrival. Keep in mind that the local road navigation requires you to stay alert for turns rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Because there are no mandatory stops, you have the advantage of completing the entire 31.6-mile distance in one go. Make sure to map out your specific turns on Tiffany Drive Northeast in advance to navigate the local streets with confidence.
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 15.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 18m into the drive.
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 31.6 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.8 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa 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 31.6 miles and 37m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.8 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
The final approach into Iowa 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 Iowa City, 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
$4.80 one way
$9.60 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.97 | $11.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.02 | $14.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Marion, IA
16 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
37m 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 Iowa City, IA covers 31.6 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tiffany Drive Northeast, Lindale Avenue Northeast, 29th Street Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.8 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 $4.80 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 Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cedar Rapids, IA to Iowa City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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