Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
222.6 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Same-day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
The drive from Harlan, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 222.6 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 12th Street, Linden Road, 800th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
111.3 miles from Harlan, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 40m drive with frequent turns across 222.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 12th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Linden Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 800th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avoca Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Harlan, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
Start on Willow Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Continue on Linden Road
Continue on 800th Street
Turn left
Continue on Avoca Lane
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
Continue on 73rd Street
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight left
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 1h 50m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 222.6 miles and 3h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.3 mi from Harlan, IA · 1h 50m into the drive
Late stop town
Meal stop
111 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111.3 miles from Harlan, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$33.05 one way
$66.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $37.27 | $74.54 |
| premium | $4.65 | $40.79 | $81.57 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $46.48 | $92.97 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Harlan on Saturday
Local time
3:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
3:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Harlan, IA or browse trips ending in Cedar Rapids, IA.
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