Trip from Clive, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

127 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 25m ★

6 AM

2h 35m

8 AM

2h 56m

10 AM

2h 43m

12 PM

2h 40m

3 PM

2h 44m

5 PM

2h 55m

8 PM

2h 29m

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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Clive, IA

DS stories

Trip Overview

Connecting Clive to Cedar Rapids is a straightforward 127-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate across the Midwest. The route relies on a mix of local thoroughfares like University Avenue and 73rd Street before transitioning to I-235 East. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable for a single day of travel. Planning your departure around peak traffic times will ensure you stay within that two-hour window.

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

63.5 miles from Clive, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Unlike long-haul highway routes, this path requires your full attention as you navigate through local streets before merging onto I-235 East. Because the highway share is 0%, you won’t be settling into a long, uninterrupted cruise control rhythm. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on University Avenue, highlighting the stop-and-go nature of the initial navigation. This drive demands a more active driving style, keeping you engaged with the road layout from the moment you leave Clive until you arrive in Cedar Rapids.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 127 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

11.5 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 137A-B Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...

11.8 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport

15.5 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...

124.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

124.5 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clive, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant and Marion.

Council Bluffs

11.5 mi in | ~16m

Davenport

11.5 mi in | ~16m

Bondurant

15.5 mi in | ~21m | via US 65

Marion

114.9 mi in | ~2h 18m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lincoln Highway	37 mi	42m
Northeast Hubbell Road	33.5 mi	39m
73rd Street	27.4 mi	31m
John MacVicar Freeway	10.1 mi	13m
IA 100	8.3 mi	9m
I 80	3.4 mi	3m
32nd Street Northeast	1.3 mi	2m
Northeast Hubbell Avenue	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 37 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Northwest 78th Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Northwest 78th Street

Turn left onto University Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · University Avenue

Turn right onto 73rd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 73rd Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I-235 east

Merge onto I 235

10 mi · 13 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 137A-B Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80

3.4 mi · 3 min · I 80

Take the exit onto US 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 65

Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, direct drive, your biggest advantage is the flexibility to leave whenever fits your schedule. Aim to depart outside of typical rush hours to avoid congestion on the local segments of University Avenue and 73rd Street. You won't need to worry about extensive meal planning or rest stops given the two-hour duration, but keeping $19 set aside for fuel is a smart way to manage your transit costs. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy sections near the start of your journey, as the local road network requires frequent navigation adjustments. Keeping your GPS active from the start will help you navigate the transition from local streets to the interstate smoothly.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 63.5 miles from Clive, IA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 28 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.5 miles or 1h 19m 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 5m

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 Clive, 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 Clive, IA

This is one driving day of about 127 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Clive, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.5 mi from Clive, IA · 1h 19m into the drive

city and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshalltown, IA

64 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

Colfax, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.5 miles from Clive, 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

$19.86 one way

$39.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$21.80	$43.60
premium	$4.89	$24.44	$48.88
diesel	$5.61	$28.04	$56.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.1	$13.33	$6.10
Efficient EV	31.8	$11.11	$5.08
EV Truck/SUV	50.8	$17.78	$8.13

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 13, 2026

Origin

Clive, IA

Afternoon in Clive on Wednesday

Local time

3:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday

Local time

3:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 13 at 4:41PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 13 at 3:13PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

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

23 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 35m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clive, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 127 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 63.5 miles from Clive, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.86 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.