Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Ottumwa, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

108.2 mi

174 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 12m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 16m

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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Ottumwa, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Ottumwa, IA covers 108.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Highway 149, Avenue of the Saints, I 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.3 miles on State Highway 149. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.92 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

54.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 108.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 21m highway drive covering 108.2 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 149 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 41.3 miles on State Highway 149.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

State Highway 149 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 149 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Lindale Avenue 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 108.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Lindale Avenue Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lindale Avenue Northeast

At end of road, turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast

Navigation decision point

1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

23.5 mi into trip | ~29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Des Moines

45.5 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward Merango, North English

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

Toward Merango, North English

97.2 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in | IA 149 / State Highway 149

At end of road, turn left onto IA 149 / State Highway 149

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 Ottumwa, IA, road signs point toward Merango and English.

Merango

45.5 mi in | ~53m

English

45.5 mi in | ~53m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Highway 149	41.3 mi	57m
Avenue of the Saints	21.5 mi	24m
I 80	21.3 mi	22m
M Avenue	11.9 mi	16m
Old US Highway 63	2.6 mi	3m
South Wapello Street	2.2 mi	2m
East 6th Street	1.2 mi	1m
29th Street Northeast	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: State Highway 149 — 41.3 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

56 ft · 2 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Continue on Tiffany Drive Northeast

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Tiffany Drive Northeast

At end of road, turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Lindale Avenue Northeast

Turn right onto 29th Street Northeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · 29th Street Northeast

Continue on Coldstream Avenue Northeast

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Coldstream Avenue Northeast

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

22 mi · 24 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 80

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 80 West: Des Moines

Merge onto I 80

21 mi · 22 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward Merango, North English

Turn left onto CR V66

12 mi · 16 min · M Avenue

Continue on IA 149

5.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 149

Turn right onto IA 22; IA 149

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Main Street

Continue on IA 22; IA 149

11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 149

Turn right onto IA 92; IA 149

0.5 mi · 40 sec · State Highway 92

Continue on IA 92; IA 149

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Jackson Street

Turn left onto IA 149

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Continue on IA 149

10 mi · 14 min · State Highway 149

At end of road, turn right onto IA 149

1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 149

Continue on IA 149

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Main Street

Continue on IA 149

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 149

Continue on IA 149

1.2 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street

Continue on IA 149

4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 149

At end of road, turn left onto IA 149

6.0 mi · 8 min · State Highway 149

Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149

2.6 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 63

Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149

2.2 mi · 2 min · South Wapello Street

Turn left onto West Fourth Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · West Fourth Street

Arrive at destination

West Fourth 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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 54.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 24 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 54.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ottumwa, 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 108.2 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on State Highway 149 for about 41.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 54.1 mi from Cedar Rapids, IA · 1h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belle Plaine, IA

54 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

Coralville, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sigourney, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ottumwa, IA

The final approach into Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, 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

$16.92 one way

$33.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$18.57	$37.15
premium	$4.89	$20.82	$41.64
diesel	$5.61	$23.89	$47.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	32.5	$11.36	$5.19
Efficient EV	27.1	$9.47	$4.33
EV Truck/SUV	43.3	$15.15	$6.92

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (66% 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

Evening in Cedar Rapids on Thursday

Local time

5:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ottumwa, IA

Evening in Ottumwa on Thursday

Local time

5:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Belle Plaine, IA

54 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

21 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 21m 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 Ottumwa, IA covers 108.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Highway 149, Avenue of the Saints, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 54.1 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 $16.92 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Lindale Avenue Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Ottumwa, IA, road signs point toward Merango and English.

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