Origin
Clinton, IA
Afternoon in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
84.5 mi
136 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip across Iowa, the 84.5-mile journey from Clinton to Cedar Rapids is a straightforward, manageable drive. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via US 30, Lincoln Way, and US 151, keeping your travel budget lean with an estimated fuel cost of just $13. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you can anticipate a familiar regional landscape throughout your travel. Because of the relatively short duration, there is no need to split this into an overnight trip unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Overall, this route offers a practical and efficient connection between these two Iowa hubs.
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
42.2 miles from Clinton, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 69% of your trip takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 30, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 53.6 miles. This segment allows for consistent cruising, though you should be prepared for the road character to shift as you transition between the highway sections and the local connections of Lincoln Way and US 151. While the route is designed for speed and efficiency, the mix of road types ensures you stay engaged as you move across the state. It is a functional drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical or winding terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Lincoln Way. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near US 30 / Lincoln Way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 20.1 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 30 / Lincoln Way
Turn right onto US 30 / Lincoln Way
Navigation decision point
3
20.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 30
Take the exit onto US 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
21.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 30
Take the exit onto US 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
73.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North, IA 13 North: Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 151 North, IA 13 North: Marion
4
84.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
Tiffany Drive Northeast
Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 53.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| Lincoln Way | 16.3 mi | 19m |
| US 151 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Lakeside Rd | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Manufacturing Drive | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 30th Street Drive Southeast | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Bluff Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 53.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Avenue South
2
Turn left onto South Bluff Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Bluff Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto Manufacturing Drive
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Manufacturing Drive
4
Turn right onto US 30
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Lincoln Way
5
Take the exit onto US 30
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 30
6
Take the exit onto US 30
52 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 30
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 151 North, IA 13 North: Marion
8
Continue on US 151; IA 13
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
US 151; IA 13
9
Turn left onto CR E44
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Lakeside Rd
10
Continue on 30th Street Drive Southeast
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
30th Street Drive Southeast
11
Continue on 29th Street Drive Southeast
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
29th Street Drive Southeast
12
Continue on 29th Street Northeast
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
13
Turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Lindale Avenue Northeast
14
Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Tiffany Drive Northeast
15
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 84.5-mile stretch without needing a formal stop for fuel or rest, though keeping an eye on your tank is always wise given the $13 fuel estimate. Because the longest single stretch lasts 53.6 miles on US 30, try to handle any phone calls or refreshments before hitting that section to keep your momentum steady. If you are traveling during peak hours, be mindful that the transition from the open highway into the Cedar Rapids area may involve increased traffic density. Use the short duration to your advantage by planning your arrival time to bypass potential congestion in the city center.
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 42.2 miles from Clinton, IA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.6 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.2 miles or 55m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, IA
This is one driving day of about 84.5 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 53.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.2 mi from Clinton, IA · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.2 miles from Clinton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA
The final approach into Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, 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
$12.83 one way
$25.67 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.15 | $28.30 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.95 | $31.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.77 | $37.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.83 | $5.41 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 54m 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 Clinton, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 84.5 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, Lincoln Way, US 151. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.2 miles from Clinton, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.83 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 is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (US 30 / Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 20.1 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clinton, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Cedar Rapids, IA
More trips to Cedar Rapids, IA
Explore more options from Clinton, IA or browse trips ending in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Clinton, IA or Cedar Rapids, IA on MapSof.net.