The drive from Glenwood, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 266.2 miles and takes about 5h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.1 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.62 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
133.1 miles from Glenwood, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 266.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 4m highway drive covering 266.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Lincoln Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.1 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Lincoln Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.8 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 266.2 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 135.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.7 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 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
135.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
150.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
154.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
263.6 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
263.8 mi into trip|~5h 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glenwood, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
Minneapolis
135.8 mi in|~2h 29m|via I 80
Kansas City
135.8 mi in|~2h 29m|via I 80
Bondurant
154.7 mi in|~2h 51m|via US 65
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
137.1 mi
2h 28m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
US 275
13.1 mi
14m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
US 34
2.4 mi
3m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 137.1 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on this road
205 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Vine Street
139 ft·10 sec·North Vine Street
3
Turn right onto CR H30
0.6 mi·1 min·Sharp Street
4
Continue on Hilman Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Hilman Road
5
Turn right onto US 34; US 275
2.4 mi·3 min·US 34; US 275
6
Take the ramp onto US 275
13 mi·14 min·US 275
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·45 sec
Exit 48AToward I 80 East: Des Moines
8
Continue on I 80; US 6
118 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 80; US 6
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
13
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
18
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
22
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
25
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
26
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
27
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
28
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
29
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
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 133.1 miles from Glenwood, IA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.1 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.1 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, IA
This is one driving day of about 266.2 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Glenwood, 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 80 for about 137.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.1 mi from Glenwood, IA
· 2h 26m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.62 one way
$83.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.69
$91.39
premium
$4.89
$51.23
$102.46
diesel
$5.61
$58.77
$117.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.9
0
$27.95
$12.78
Efficient EV
66.6
0
$23.29
$10.65
EV Truck/SUV
106.5
1
$37.27
$17.04
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Glenwood, IA
Afternoon
in Glenwood on Friday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon
in Cedar Rapids on Friday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph27% chanceLive 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
5h 4m 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 Glenwood, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 266.2 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.1 miles from Glenwood, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.62 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 18 significant decision points across 266.2 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 135.8 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.7 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Glenwood, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
