This 166.5-mile journey from Glidden, IA, to Cedar Rapids, IA, is designed for a single day, with an estimated drive time of 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, indicated by a low highway share of just 5%, making it a turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest trip is around $26, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward drive. This route offers a practical way to travel between these two Iowa communities, focusing on efficient travel rather than extensive sightseeing.
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
83.2 miles from Glidden, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 166.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 166.5-mile trip, with only 5% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.2 miles on 230th Street, providing a good segment of consistent driving before you start making more frequent turns. This driving profile suggests a more intimate, community-focused experience, winding through the Iowa landscape rather than a fast-paced interstate cruise. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction as you follow roads like 230th Street, 220th Street, and 73rd Street.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 2nd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East 2nd Street
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
154.4 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
5
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
7
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
164 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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.
On the drive from Glidden, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
154.4 mi in|~3h 7m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
230th Street
77.2 mi
1h 29m
220th Street
44.4 mi
58m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
County Road N33
5.3 mi
7m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Avenue of the Saints
0.5 mi
<1m
Colorado Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glidden, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on North Idaho Street
60 ft·8 sec·North Idaho Street
2
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto N44
0.5 mi·55 sec·Colorado Street
4
Turn right onto US 30
5.3 mi·7 min·County Road N33
5
Continue on US 30
44 mi·58 min·220th Street
6
Continue on US 30
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·230th Street
7
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
9
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
13
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
16
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
17
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
18
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
19
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
20
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a day trip from Glidden to Cedar Rapids. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your day and allow ample time for the approximately 166.5 miles. With only one suggested stop, you can be flexible with your timing, but it's wise to plan a break, especially during the longest stretch on 230th Street. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $26, and local roads might have fewer immediate services than major highways. A specific tip for this drive: pay close attention to road signs as you transition between 230th Street, 220th Street, and 73rd Street, as the turn-heavy nature means frequent navigation checks.
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 83.2 miles from Glidden, IA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 45m 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 47m
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 Glidden, 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 Glidden, IA
This is one driving day of about 166.5 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Glidden, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.2 mi from Glidden, IA
· 1h 45m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.03 one way
$52.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.58
$57.16
premium
$4.89
$32.04
$64.08
diesel
$5.61
$36.76
$73.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.48
$7.99
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.31
$10.66
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Glidden, IA
Morning
in Glidden on Friday
Local time
11:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Morning
in Cedar Rapids on Friday
Local time
11:37 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 24m 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 Glidden, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 166.5 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, 220th Street, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.2 miles from Glidden, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.03 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.5 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Glidden, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
