Trip from Coralville, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Drive Time

37m

Distance

27.9 mi

45 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 35m ★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Coralville, IA, IA

Coralville, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel between Coralville and Cedar Rapids, you are in for a quick 27.9-mile journey that typically takes about 37 minutes. This short hop within the Midwest is perfect for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since the drive is so efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a casual visit. You will find this a straightforward way to navigate between these two Iowa cities without the stress of a long-haul trek.

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

13.9 miles from Coralville, IA

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

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 3% of this route is comprised of highway travel, as you will spend most of your time navigating local streets like 2nd Street and 32nd Street Northeast. The longest stretch you will encounter is a 21.6-mile segment on the Avenue of the Saints, which provides the most consistent portion of the trip. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, the pace is more measured than a standard interstate commute. Be prepared for frequent turns and a changing environment as you transition from the local grid into the heart of Cedar Rapids.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 21.6 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 3.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 27.9 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 380; US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
3.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

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

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

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

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
4.5 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 380; US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
26.1 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street

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

Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29t...
5
26.4 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Along This Route

Between Coralville, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Waterloo and Coldstream.

Waterloo

3.9 mi in | ~7m

Coldstream

26.1 mi in | ~33m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 21.6 mi 24m
2nd Street 1.7 mi 3m
32nd Street Northeast 0.8 mi 1m
I 80 0.8 mi <1m
Coral Ridge Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
29th Street Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
Oakland Road Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
12th Avenue 0.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 21.6 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 12th Avenue

147 ft · 32 sec · 12th Avenue
2

Continue on 12th Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · 12th Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 6

1.7 mi · 3 min · 2nd Street
4

Turn right onto Coral Ridge Avenue

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Coral Ridge Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
6

Merge onto I 80

0.8 mi · 53 sec · I 80
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
9

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

22 mi · 24 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the none lane.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
11

Keep slight right at fork

319 ft · 8 sec
12

Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 36 sec · 29th Street Northeast
13

Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Oakland Road Northeast
14

Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast

0.8 mi · 1 min · 32nd Street Northeast
15

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
16

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
17

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
18

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 37-minute drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between local streets, as the route requires several turns to reach your destination. Since fuel costs are quite low at $4, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Coralville to ensure a worry-free arrival. Use this quick transit time to your advantage by heading out whenever it best suits your personal itinerary.

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 13.9 miles from Coralville, IA, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 27.9 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.9 miles or 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 31m

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 Coralville, 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 Coralville, IA

This is one driving day of about 27.9 miles and 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Coralville, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 21.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.9 mi from Coralville, IA · 19m into the drive

Downtown Marion, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marion, IA

14 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

Marion, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marion, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Coralville, 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

$4.24 one way

$8.48 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $4.67 $9.34
premium $4.80 $5.27 $10.53
diesel $5.64 $6.20 $12.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.4 0 $2.93 $1.34
Efficient EV 7 0 $2.44 $1.12
EV Truck/SUV 11.2 0 $3.91 $1.79

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Coralville, IA

Afternoon in Coralville on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

43°F

Marion, IA

14 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

8 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

37m 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 Coralville, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 27.9 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, 2nd Street, 32nd Street Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 miles from Coralville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.24 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 27.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.5 miles (I 380; US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Coralville, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Waterloo and Coldstream.

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