Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Evening in Cedar Rapids on Thursday
Local time
5:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Washington, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
114 mi
183 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
10 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, IA
Paula Nardini
Trip Overview
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Washington, IA covers 114 miles and takes about 2h 22m 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, 210th Street, State Highway 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.82 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.
Midpoint
57 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 114 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 22m drive with frequent turns across 114 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 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 63.3 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Crystal Drive Northeast.
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 114 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (32nd Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese 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
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
32nd Street Northeast
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
6
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
6
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
4
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
IA 3 / 230th Street
Turn left onto IA 3 / 230th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 63.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| 210th Street | 18 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 3 | 15.1 mi | 20m |
| I 380 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Central Avenue East | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| 230th Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Washington, 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 right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
7
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Expressway
8
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
9
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
10
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
11
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 218
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
13
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
15
Turn left onto IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
230th Street
16
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 3
17
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
210th Street
18
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
19
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
20
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
21
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
22
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
23
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue East
24
Continue on IA 3
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
25
Arrive at destination
IA 3
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 114 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57 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 Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.
Arriving in Washington, IA
The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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
$17.82 one way
$35.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.57 | $39.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.94 | $43.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.17 | $50.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Hy-Vee Grocery Store - Tesla Supercharger
Cedar Rapids, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hy-Vee Waterloo - Tesla Supercharger
Waterloo, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
McGrath Auto
Hiawatha, IA
Blink Network
4 DCFC
McGrath Hyundai Hiawatha - DCFC
Hiawatha, IA
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Waterloo Hy-Vee
Waterloo, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
225 Commercial St
Waterloo, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
Roling Ford
Shell Rock, IA
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Indian Creek Nature Center
Cedar Rapids, IA
CHARGELAB
2 DCFC
CHARGELAB: 3
Blink Network: 3
Tesla: 2
ChargePoint Network: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.97 | $5.47 |
| Efficient EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.98 | $4.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Washington, IA
Evening in Washington on Thursday
Local time
5:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
57 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
19 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 22m 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 Washington, IA covers 114 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, 210th Street, State Highway 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57 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 $17.82 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (32nd Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cedar Rapids, IA to Washington, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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