Origin
Colfax, IA
Evening in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
108.8 mi
175 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Colfax to Cedar Rapids covers 108.8 miles across the Iowa landscape. Expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes, making this a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget about $16 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Midwestern locales. Because there are no formal stops scheduled, you can easily complete the drive in a single stretch. It is a straightforward route that connects smaller regional hubs, offering a reliable path for travelers looking to navigate the state efficiently.
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
54.4 miles from Colfax, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will primarily navigate via North Walnut Street, Highway 117, and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, as the route involves zero percent highway driving. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on North Walnut Street is 0 miles, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and transitions between local roads. This profile creates a hands-on driving atmosphere that keeps you engaged with the rural Iowa environment throughout the entire trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Walnut Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Walnut Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 117 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 380 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Glass Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 29th Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Oakland Road Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Walnut Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on East Howard Street
56 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Howard Street
2
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Walnut Street
3
Continue on State Highway 117
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Highway 117
4
Take the ramp slight right
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
83 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 380, US 218, IA 27
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit slight right toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
10
Keep slight right
318 ft
·
8 sec
11
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
12
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Road Northeast
13
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
14
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
15
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
8 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
16
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention, so consider departing during daylight hours to ensure better visibility for road signs and intersections. While the $16 fuel estimate is modest, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Colfax since you will be relying on local roads rather than major service-heavy interstates. Use the lack of planned stops to your advantage by mapping out your own breaks if you prefer a more leisurely pace over the 108.8-mile distance.
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 54.4 miles from Colfax, IA, or about 52m into the drive.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 miles or 52m 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 25m
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, IA
This is one driving day of about 108.8 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.4 mi from Colfax, IA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.4 miles from Colfax, 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
$16.53 one way
$33.05 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.22 | $36.44 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.54 | $41.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.17 | $48.34 |
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: 38.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.6 | 0 | $11.42 | $5.22 |
| Efficient EV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.52 | $4.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
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.
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Evening in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
5:24 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 44m 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 Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 108.8 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Walnut Street, Highway 117, Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.4 miles from Colfax, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.53 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 drive from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Colfax, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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