Origin
Creston, IA
Afternoon in Creston on Sunday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Creston, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
200.5 mi
323 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Creston, IA
Roshan Dadhe
Trip Overview
Connecting Creston to Cedar Rapids requires a 200.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 2 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek across the Iowa Midwest, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a blend of major arteries like I-35 and the Lincoln Highway, as well as Northeast Hubbell Road. It is a practical drive that works well for a quick trip, offering a consistent pace that keeps your travel plans uncomplicated.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.3 miles from Creston, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed-drive profile that balances fast-paced stretches with more local travel. Only about 33% of your time will be spent on the highway, meaning you will experience a variety of road types as you transition between sections. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on I-35, spanning 53.1 miles of the trip. The character of the road changes noticeably as you shift from interstate travel to the more localized corridors of the Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road. Be prepared for a shift in intensity as you move off the main interstate and onto these secondary roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 34 / West Taylor Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 200.5 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 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 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 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 34 / West Taylor Street
Turn left onto US 34 / West Taylor Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
6
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
89.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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...
7
197.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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
7
198.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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 Along This Route
Between Creston, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
Bondurant
89.1 mi in
|
~1h 48m
|
via US 65
Marion
188.4 mi in
|
~3h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 53.1 mi | 58m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.5 mi | 39m |
| West Taylor Street | 30.5 mi | 42m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| I 80 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 53.1 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creston, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on East Montgomery Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
East Montgomery Street
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elm Street
3
Turn left onto US 34
30 mi
·
42 min
·
West Taylor Street
Use the left / none lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I-35 north: Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 35
53 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
7
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.
8
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
9
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
12
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
14
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
IA 100
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
18
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
21
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
22
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
23
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
24
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
25
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable 4-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You should plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the 200.5-mile trek and keep your focus sharp. Since the longest stretch is 53.1 miles on I-35, aim to time your fuel refills before or after that specific segment to avoid unnecessary interruptions. Keeping your $30 fuel budget in mind, it is wise to monitor your consumption as you transition between the highway and local roads. Use the one planned stop as a chance to stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of your journey into Cedar Rapids.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.3 miles from Creston, IA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Creston, 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 Creston, IA
This is one driving day of about 200.5 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Creston, 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 I 35 for about 53.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.3 mi from Creston, IA · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 100.3 miles from Creston, 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
$30.45 one way
$60.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.57 | $67.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.54 | $89.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.05 | $9.62 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.07 | $12.83 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
2:44 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
5 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Creston, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 200.5 miles and takes about 4h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.3 miles from Creston, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 200.5 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 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Creston, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
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