Origin
Earlham, IA
Afternoon in Earlham on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
150.6 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Earlham, IA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
This 150.6-mile drive from Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Designed as a 1-day trip, it's a straightforward journey through the heart of Iowa's Midwest landscape. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this route is an economical option for exploring the state. You'll primarily navigate local roads, making it a more hands-on driving experience than a typical highway cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.
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
75.3 miles from Earlham, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 150.6-mile trip, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be spending your entire 2 hours and 30 minutes on roads that require more frequent attention and navigation. Without any significant highway stretches, you'll be immersed in the local Iowa scenery and road network. The constant adjustments and turns are characteristic of this route, offering a connected feel to the communities you pass through rather than a high-speed transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northwest 2nd 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 Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 2h 30m 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 Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest 2nd Street | — | — |
| North Chestnut Avenue | — | — |
| County Road P57 | — | — |
| I Avenue | — | — |
| I-80 east | — | — |
| I 35 | — | — |
| US 6 West | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Northwest 2nd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Earlham, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on Northwest Locust Avenue
240 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northwest Locust Avenue
2
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
387 ft
·
22 sec
·
Northwest 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto North Chestnut Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Chestnut Avenue
4
Continue on County Road P57
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
County Road P57
5
Continue on I Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I Avenue
6
Take the ramp right toward I-80 east: Des Moines
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
I-80 east: Des Moines
7
Merge slight left
18 mi
·
19 min
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
9
Keep slight left
4.5 mi
·
5 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
11
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
12
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
13
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
15
Continue on 73rd Street
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
16
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
17
Continue straight
8.3 mi
·
9 min
18
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
19
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
21
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
22
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
23
Keep slight left
121 ft
·
5 sec
24
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
25
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
26
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
8 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
27
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
28
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hours and 30-minute duration for this 150.6-mile journey, starting your drive in the morning allows for a relaxed pace and ample time to reach Cedar Rapids. Since there are no long highway stretches and a 0% highway share, keep an eye on your navigation, especially as you'll be making frequent turns on local roads like Northwest 2nd Street and County Road P57. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling, but it's always wise to top off before departing Earlham. The single recommended stop offers a good opportunity for a quick break.
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 75.3 miles from Earlham, IA, or about 1h 15m 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 33 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 15m 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 3m
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 Earlham, 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 Earlham, IA
This is one driving day of about 150.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Earlham, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Earlham, IA · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Earlham, 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
$23.54 one way
$47.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.85 | $51.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.98 | $57.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.25 | $66.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.81 | $7.23 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.18 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.08 | $9.64 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
4:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
2 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 30m 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 Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 150.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northwest 2nd Street, North Chestnut Avenue, County Road P57. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.3 miles from Earlham, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.54 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.
The drive from Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 2h 30m 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 Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Earlham, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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