Trip from Harlan, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Drive Time

4h 21m

Distance

224.3 mi

361 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Spanning 224.3 miles across the heart of Iowa, this cross-state journey takes roughly 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will navigate a mix of major arteries, including I-80, the historic Lincoln Highway, and Northeast Hubbell Road. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach Cedar Rapids without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel for the trek. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this path offers a straightforward connection between two Midwestern hubs.

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

112.1 miles from Harlan, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning between high-speed interstate travel and local roadway navigation. With about 53% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter a variety of road conditions throughout the 224.3-mile distance. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-80, where you will cover 101 miles before transitioning to other segments. The route shifts in personality as you move from the open interstate to the more localized sections of the Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road, keeping the drive engaging rather than monotonous.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

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 101 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.9 miles in near I 80.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 224.3 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 93.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.8 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.

93.9 mi into trip | ~1h 46m 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...

108.3 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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.

112.8 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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...

221.7 mi into trip | ~4h 16m 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

221.8 mi into trip | ~4h 17m 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 Along This Route

Between Harlan, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

Minneapolis

93.9 mi in | ~1h 46m | via I 80

Kansas City

93.9 mi in | ~1h 46m | via I 80

Bondurant

112.8 mi in | ~2h 8m | via US 65

Marion

212.2 mi in | ~4h 4m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	101 mi	1h 50m
Lincoln Highway	37 mi	42m
Northeast Hubbell Road	33.5 mi	39m
73rd Street	26.8 mi	30m
US 59	8.5 mi	11m
IA 100	8.3 mi	9m
12th Street	1.5 mi	2m
32nd Street Northeast	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 101 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Willow Street

55 ft · 4 sec · Willow Street

Turn right onto 12th Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · 12th Street

Continue on Linden Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Linden Road

Continue on 800th Street

0.4 mi · 46 sec · 800th Street

Turn left onto US 59

8.5 mi · 11 min · US 59

Continue on US 59

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Avoca Lane

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto I 80

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 80

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80

Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 80

Use the slight left lane.

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.

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 21-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though mid-morning starts often help avoid peak congestion near hubs. Keep your fuel budget of $34 in mind as you plan your stops along the way. Because you will be navigating a mix of interstate and local roads, stay alert for transitions between the high-speed I-80 corridor and the slower, local stretches of the Lincoln Highway.

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 112.1 miles from Harlan, IA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.1 miles or 2h 7m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 32m

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 Harlan, 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 Harlan, IA

This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 4h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Harlan, 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 101 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 112.1 mi from Harlan, IA · 2h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Moines, IA

112 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.

Popular next leg

Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

120.6 mi · 2h 27m

Pacing Suggestions

Waukee, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Des Moines, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.1 miles from Harlan, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101 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

$34.07 one way

$68.14 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$37.56	$75.11
premium	$4.80	$42.34	$84.69
diesel	$5.64	$49.83	$99.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.3	0	$23.55	$10.77
Efficient EV	56.1	0	$19.63	$8.97
EV Truck/SUV	89.7	1	$31.40	$14.36

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Harlan, IA

Afternoon in Harlan on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

8 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

4h 21m 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 Harlan, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 224.3 miles and takes about 4h 21m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 112.1 miles from Harlan, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.07 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.

Between Harlan, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

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