Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
120.6 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, this 120.6-mile journey typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a quick getaway or a straightforward regional commute. Budgeting around $18 for fuel will cover your transit across the Midwest landscape. Because the route is relatively short, there is no need for an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to travel at your own pace. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this path offers a direct and manageable 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
60.3 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only about 13% of this route consists of traditional highway driving, as you will spend most of your time navigating Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street, and sections of the Lincoln Highway. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway, providing a brief period of consistent momentum. The road's personality is defined by its frequent transitions, requiring you to stay alert through various local segments rather than settling into a monotonous interstate grind.
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 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
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 120.6 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 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
5.1 mi into trip
|
~8m 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...
9
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
8
9.1 mi into trip
|
~13m 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
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
Bondurant
9.1 mi in
|
~13m
|
via US 65
Marion
108.5 mi in
|
~2h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.5 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| I 80 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| 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 Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 69
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East 14th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
5
Merge onto I 235
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
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.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 80
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
9
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.
10
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
14
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
16
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
IA 100
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
23
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
24
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
25
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
26
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
27
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 120.6-mile drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. You can choose to leave early to avoid mid-day traffic or opt for a later start without the pressure of a long-distance itinerary. Keep in mind that with no official stops mandated by the duration, you should plan your own breaks along the Lincoln Highway or local corridors as needed. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS navigation before heading out to ensure you stay on the correct streets. Staying mindful of the 2-hour and 27-minute travel time will help you reach your destination in Cedar Rapids without feeling rushed.
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 60.3 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 1h 14m 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 120.6 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Moines, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.3 mi from Des Moines, IA · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 60.3 miles from Des Moines, 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
$18.32 one way
$36.64 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $20.19 | $40.39 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.77 | $45.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.55 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
2:18 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
1 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
2h 27m 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 Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 120.6 miles and takes about 2h 27m 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 60.3 miles from Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.32 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 19 significant decision points across 120.6 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 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
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