Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Friday
Local time
5:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Sidney, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
290.1 mi
467 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 27m
★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sidney, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 290.1-mile drive from Cedar Rapids, IA, to Sidney, IA, is a straightforward, single-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 39 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-80, with portions of the historic Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard mixed in. Given its manageable distance and duration, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion, though you could easily break it up if desired. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is about $45. As both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, expect a consistent, familiar driving experience throughout Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 290.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
You'll spend about 60% of this drive on highways, largely on I-80. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 124.6 miles on I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between the efficiency of the interstate and potentially more local or historic road segments like the Lincoln Highway. This means the pace might vary, offering a break from constant highway speeds as you move through different types of terrain and communities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 124.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 290.1 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 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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...
7
110.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
224.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
7
248.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
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 Sidney, IA, road signs point toward Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
Des Moines
75.9 mi in
|
~1h 30m
Omaha Nebraska
224.7 mi in
|
~4h 16m
|
via I 80
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 124.6 mi | 2h 14m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| I 29 | 27.9 mi | 30m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| US 275 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 124.6 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Sidney, 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
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
23 mi
·
25 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
21
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 29
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 29
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CR J24: Mc Paul, Thurman
24
Turn left onto CR J24
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
155 Street
25
Continue on CR J24
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
North Street
26
Turn right onto CR J24; CR L44
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Fletcher Street
27
Turn left onto CR J24; CR L44
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Filmore Street
28
Continue on State Highway 145
3.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 145
29
Turn right onto US 275
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 275
30
Continue on Old Highway 275
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Old Highway 275
31
Continue on Illinois Street
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Illinois Street
32
Turn right onto Filmore Street
62 ft
·
2 sec
·
Filmore Street
33
Arrive at destination
Filmore Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 39-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Cedar Rapids to maximize your daylight and arrive in Sidney with ample time. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 120 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. The $45 fuel cost is a good estimate to keep in mind. A key tip for this route is to be aware of potential construction or traffic delays on I-80, especially during peak travel times, as it's a major artery.
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 145 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.6 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sidney, 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 290.1 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 I 80 for about 124.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 2h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.6 miles.
Arriving in Sidney, IA
The final approach into Sidney, 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 Sidney, 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
$45.35 one way
$90.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.80 | $99.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.83 | $111.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.05 | $128.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87 | 1 | $30.46 | $13.92 |
| Efficient EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.38 | $11.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116 | 1 | $40.61 | $18.57 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Sidney, IA
Late night in Sidney on Friday
Local time
5:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
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
5h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Sidney, IA covers 290.1 miles and takes about 5h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145 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 $45.35 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 290.1 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 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Sidney, IA, road signs point toward Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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