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Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Norwalk, IA

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

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

132.3 mi

213 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

5 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m

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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city in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States

Norwalk, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Norwalk, IA covers 132.3 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, 73rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.68 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

66.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lincoln Highway 37.3 mi 43m
Marshalltown Boulevard 33.7 mi 39m
73rd Street 24.4 mi 28m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 14.6 mi 16m
Collins Road Northeast 8.2 mi 9m
16th Avenue Southwest 2.4 mi 2m
County Road G14 1.4 mi 2m
Hubbell Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 37.3 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

24 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
13

Continue on US 30

37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15

Turn left onto IA 330

34 mi · 39 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
16

Continue on US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17

Continue on US 6

1.3 mi · 2 min · Hubbell Avenue
18

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Merge onto US 65

15 mi · 16 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 96 Toward CR R63: Southwest 9th Street
21

Turn left onto CR R63

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southwest 9th Street
22

Continue on CR R63

1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R63
23

Turn right onto County Road G14

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road G14
24

Continue on CR G14

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Avenue
25

Turn right onto Main Street

82 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

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 66.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 29 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.1 miles or 1h 19m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Norwalk, 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 132.3 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshalltown, IA

66 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

Marshalltown, IA to Norwalk, IA

63.2 mi · 1h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Vinton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tama, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.7

+16414842108

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.5 mi

Red Lobster

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.5 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

Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 56.7

Tama, Iowa

+16414842108

Visit website

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

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

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

Lucky's Grill & Taproom

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 56.7

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

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

Sunrise Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.1

Le Grand, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+16414792280

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

Visit website

TMC Chrome Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132.3

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15154758085

Trading Grounds

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 18.9

Newhall, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.1 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 9.4

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

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

The Rhodes Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85

Rhodes, Iowa

Hours: 2 pm–2 am

+16414932012

Visit website

The TapHaus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.9

Atkins, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13194462739

The Pump

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 56.7

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm

+16414817332

The Spot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.6

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+16417526014

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 112.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...
5
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

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

Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
5
112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.68 one way

$41.37 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.71 $45.42
premium $4.89 $25.46 $50.92
diesel $5.61 $29.21 $58.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Supercharger

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Newhall, Iowa

InCharge

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla: 1 InCharge: 1 Blink: 1 Shell Recharge: 1 Other: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.7 0 $13.89 $6.35
Efficient EV 33.1 0 $11.58 $5.29
EV Truck/SUV 52.9 0 $18.52 $8.47

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Saturday

Local time

12:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Norwalk, IA

Afternoon in Norwalk on Saturday

Local time

12:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

25 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

2h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 2h 41m drive with frequent turns across 132.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 132.3 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

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

Marshalltown

11.1 mi in | ~15m

Des Moines

75.9 mi in | ~1h 30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 132.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Norwalk, IA covers 132.3 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 66.1 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 $20.68 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 demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 132.3 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.

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.

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

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Norwalk, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

131.9 mi 2h 40m

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