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Trip from George, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Drive Time

6h 8m

Distance

299.9 mi

483 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

Downtown George, IA, IA

George, IA

Mike Bird

Trip Overview

Crossing Iowa from George to Cedar Rapids covers 299.9 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than a multi-day journey. You should budget approximately $46 for fuel to complete the trip. While the route remains entirely within the Midwest, the transition from the northwestern corner of the state toward the eastern region offers a cross-section of Iowa’s local landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, knowing the road requires active attention makes it easier to plan your departure time accordingly.

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

150 miles from George, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this is a turn-heavy route that relies heavily on local roads rather than major interstates. With only 6% of the 299.9-mile journey consisting of highway driving, you will spend most of your time navigating secondary routes like 220th Street, 20th Avenue, and sections of the Avenue of the Saints. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 164.9 miles on 220th Street, which serves as the core of the transit. Because the route lacks the monotony of a long-haul interstate grind, you will need to stay alert through the various turns and transitions that define this local path.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 164.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near CR B20 / West 16th Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 299.9 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

5
19 mi into trip | ~29m in | CR B20 / West 16th Street

At end of road, turn left onto CR B20 / West 16th Street

Navigation decision point

6
27.2 mi into trip | ~39m in | L22 / Log Avenue

Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
37.8 mi into trip | ~54m in | IA 143 / Nettle Avenue

Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
91 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | US 20 / 220th Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 20 / 220th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
255.9 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in | I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids

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

Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 164.9 mi 3h 10m
Avenue of the Saints 42.3 mi 45m
20th Avenue 9.2 mi 12m
State Highway 3 8.6 mi 11m
IA 60 Business 7.5 mi 9m
320th Street 6.3 mi 8m
Armstrong Avenue 6 mi 8m
D Avenue 5.7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Street

377 ft · 17 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Boiler Avenue
3

Turn right onto South Virginia Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Virginia Street
4

Continue on L14

5.7 mi · 8 min · L14
5

Continue on CR L14

3.8 mi · 5 min · Kennedy Avenue
6

Continue on CR L14

0.5 mi · 1 min · Colfax Street
7

Turn left onto US 18; CR L14

6.0 mi · 8 min · 320th Street
8

Continue on US 18

0.7 mi · 58 sec · West Park Street
9

Continue on US 18

0.3 mi · 29 sec · 320th Street
10

Turn right onto Western Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · Western Avenue
11

At end of road, turn left onto CR B20

360 ft · 10 sec · West 16th Street
12

Turn right onto IA 60 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · 2nd Avenue
13

Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business

7.5 mi · 9 min · IA 60 Business
14

Turn left onto L22

5.6 mi · 7 min · Log Avenue
Use the left lane.
15

Turn left onto IA 10

1.0 mi · 1 min · 460th Street
16

Continue on IA 10

0.5 mi · 1 min · Garfield Street
17

Continue on IA 10

3.5 mi · 4 min · 460th Street
18

Turn right onto IA 143

5.0 mi · 6 min · Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on IA 143

5.7 mi · 7 min · D Avenue
20

Continue on IA 143

1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
21

Turn left onto IA 3

5.0 mi · 6 min · 490th Street
22

Continue on IA 3

4.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 3
23

Continue on IA 3

2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
24

Turn straight onto IA 3

4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
25

Turn left onto IA 3

3.4 mi · 4 min · 530th Street
26

Turn right onto IA 7

2.0 mi · 2 min · V Avenue
27

Continue on IA 7

1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
28

Continue on IA 7

2.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 7
29

Continue on IA 7

1.1 mi · 1 min · Highway 7
30

Turn right onto 20th Avenue

9.2 mi · 12 min · 20th Avenue
31

Continue on CR M27

6.0 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
32

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

165 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street
Use the none lane.
33

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27

42 mi · 45 min · Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
34

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
35

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec
36

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
37

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
38

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
39

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
40

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

Planning for a 6-hour and 8-minute trip is straightforward, but you should prepare for a steady day of driving with at least one planned stop to maintain your energy. Since you will be navigating local roads, it is wise to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach your destination well before dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that initial 164.9-mile stretch on 220th Street where services may be spread out. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your navigation before setting off to avoid missing any key transitions between 20th Avenue and the Avenue of the Saints. Having a clear plan for your single stop will help you manage the drive comfortably without unnecessary fatigue.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150 miles from George, IA, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150 miles or 3h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 7m

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 George, 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 George, IA

This is one driving day of about 299.9 miles and 6h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from George, 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 220th Street for about 164.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150 mi from George, IA · 3h 17m into the drive

Downtown Ames, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

150 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150 miles from George, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.9 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.55 one way

$91.10 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $50.22 $100.43
premium $4.80 $56.61 $113.23
diesel $5.64 $66.63 $133.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90 1 $31.49 $14.40
Efficient EV 75 0 $26.24 $12.00
EV Truck/SUV 120 1 $41.99 $19.19

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

George, IA

Afternoon in George on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

32 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

6h 8m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from George, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 299.9 miles and takes about 6h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, Avenue of the Saints, 20th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 150 miles from George, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 299.9 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from George, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Cedar Rapids, IA to George, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.1 mi 6h 8m

Explore more options from George, IA or browse trips ending in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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