Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Morning in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Britt, 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
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
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.
Britt, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
This 166.6-mile journey from Cedar Rapids to Britt, Iowa, is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. The route primarily follows the Avenue of the Saints and US 18, with a portion on I-380, making it a blend of highway and local road travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. The drive is characterized by its turn-heavy nature, suggesting a more engaged driving experience rather than a straight interstate cruise. You'll be staying within the Midwest region for the entirety of this Iowa-bound trip.
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 (18%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 166.6-mile trip. While 18% of the route is on highways like I-380, much of the journey will be on roads like the Avenue of the Saints and US 18. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130.8 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, providing a good period of consistent travel before the local roads become more prominent. This profile means you'll likely be making more frequent adjustments to your steering and speed as you navigate through various towns and landscapes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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 130.8 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 13 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 13 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 142.4 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
5
142.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason...
4
142.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
143.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 35 Business / South 8th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / South 8th Street
Navigation decision point
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 Britt, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
Cr B35: Clear Lake
142.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
|
via I 35 Business
Mason City
142.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
|
via I 35 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 130.8 mi | 2h 27m |
| US 18 | 21.8 mi | 30m |
| I 380 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Washington Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| 4th Avenue South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| US 218 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 130.8 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Britt, 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
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
15
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
16
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 8th Street
17
Turn left onto US 18
22 mi
·
30 min
·
US 18
18
Turn left onto Main Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Main Avenue North
19
Arrive at destination
Main Avenue North
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 19-minute duration, this drive is comfortably a one-day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Cedar Rapids to maximize your time in Britt. The route includes only one recommended stop, but with its turn-heavy nature, you'll likely find ample opportunities for brief breaks in the smaller towns along US 18. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition from the longer highway stretches to more local roads, as stations can be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, so plan accordingly.
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 130.8 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 Britt, 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 130.8 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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.8 miles.
Arriving in Britt, IA
The final approach into Britt, 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 Britt, 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
$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 | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.49 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.58 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $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.
Destination
Britt, IA
Morning in Britt on Saturday
Local time
7:37 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
22 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
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 Britt, 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, US 18, 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 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 142.4 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Britt, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Britt, IA
More trips to Britt, IA
Explore more options from Cedar Rapids, IA or browse trips ending in Britt, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.