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Trip from Hartley, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 19m

Distance

263.5 mi

424 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 6m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States of America

Hartley, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hartley, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, Avenue of the Saints, 130th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 153.3 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.20 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

131.8 miles from Hartley, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (59%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

The drive from Hartley, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 153.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Central Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 19m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles (B24 / County Road B24): Navigation decision point; at 65.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Central Avenue

Turn right onto South Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
15.7 mi into trip | ~22m in | B24 / County Road B24

At end of road, turn left onto B24 / County Road B24

Navigation decision point

5
65.8 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
6
219.5 mi into trip | ~4h 30m 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
5
262.1 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 153.3 mi 2h 56m
Avenue of the Saints 42.3 mi 45m
130th Avenue 29.1 mi 39m
215th Avenue 13.4 mi 18m
320th Street 12.5 mi 17m
180th Avenue 2.8 mi 4m
11th Avenue Southwest 1.5 mi 2m
360th Street 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 153.3 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 1st Street Southeast

26 ft · 3 sec · 1st Street Southeast
2

Turn right onto South Central Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Central Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 18

12 mi · 17 min · 320th Street
4

Turn right onto 180th Avenue

2.8 mi · 4 min · 180th Avenue
5

At end of road, turn left onto B24

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road B24
6

Continue on West 4th Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
7

Turn right onto 32nd Avenue West

0.3 mi · 25 sec · 32nd Avenue West
8

Continue on 200th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 200th Avenue
9

Turn left onto 360th Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · 360th Street
10

Turn right onto US 71

1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest
11

Continue on US 71

13 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue
12

Continue on US 71

1.3 mi · 1 min · 130th Avenue
13

Continue on US 71

1.1 mi · 1 min · County Highway 71
14

Continue on US 71

28 mi · 37 min · 130th Avenue
15

Continue on IA 471

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 71
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
17

Merge onto US 20; US 71

153 mi · 2 hr 56 min · US 20; US 71
18

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
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
20

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec
21

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
22

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
23

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
24

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
25

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 131.8 miles from Hartley, IA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 58 miles or 1h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 131.8 miles or 2h 48m 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 26m

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 Hartley, 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 Hartley, IA

This is one driving day of about 263.5 miles and 5h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Hartley, 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 US 20 for about 153.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 131.8 mi from Hartley, IA · 2h 48m into the drive

city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Iowa Falls, IA

132 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

Iowa Falls, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

106.1 mi · 2h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Alta, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Iowa Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.8 miles from Hartley, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 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

$41.20 one way

$82.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.23 $90.46
premium $4.89 $50.71 $101.42
diesel $5.61 $58.18 $116.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.1 0 $27.67 $12.65
Efficient EV 65.9 0 $23.06 $10.54
EV Truck/SUV 105.4 1 $36.89 $16.86

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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

Hartley, IA

Late night in Hartley on Saturday

Local time

4:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 15 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Late night in Cedar Rapids on Saturday

Local time

4:41 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

28 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 19m 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 Hartley, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 20, Avenue of the Saints, 130th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 131.8 miles from Hartley, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.20 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 straightforward 5h 19m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles (B24 / County Road B24): Navigation decision point; at 65.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Hartley, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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