Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
103.1 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Charles City, IA covers 103.1 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Crystal Drive Northeast, 32nd Street Northeast, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.31 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
51.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 2m drive with frequent turns across 103.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Drive Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 32nd Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-380 north | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Washington Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 218 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Charles City, IA.
Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Continue on West Washington Expressway
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
Continue on West Washington Street
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, US 218 Business, CR T64: Charles City, New Hampton
Turn right onto Shadow Avenue
Continue on South Grand Avenue
Continue on Gilbert Street
Turn right onto Brantingham Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charles City, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 103.1 miles and 2h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.5 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 51.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Charles 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 Charles City, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.31 one way
$30.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.26 | $34.53 |
| premium | $4.65 | $18.89 | $37.78 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $21.53 | $43.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.83 | $4.95 |
| Efficient EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.02 | $4.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.43 | $6.60 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Charles City on Saturday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
52 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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