Origin
Hudson, IA
Evening in Hudson on Tuesday
Local time
8:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
58m
Distance
59.3 mi
95 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hudson, IA
Garrison Gao
Trip Overview
This 59.3-mile drive from Hudson to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a straightforward, one-day trip that should take about 58 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily uses local roads like 6th Street, Waterloo Road, and Sergeant Road, indicating a more direct, turn-heavy experience rather than open highway cruising. Given its short duration and local road profile, this journey is best suited for a single, easy day trip, allowing for flexibility and minimal planning. You'll stay within Iowa for the entirety of this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.6 miles from Hudson, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway time contributing to the 59.3 miles. Your journey will primarily follow 6th Street, Waterloo Road, and Sergeant Road, suggesting a series of intersections and transitions. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch indicates a continuous series of turns and road name changes, keeping you engaged with the local landscape. This isn't a route for high-speed cruising; instead, it offers a more intimate connection with the towns and communities you pass through on your way to Cedar Rapids.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
6th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 58m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Waterloo Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sergeant Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 32nd Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Crystal Drive Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tiperary Drive Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
6th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on North Jefferson Street
335 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
446 ft
·
21 sec
·
6th Street
3
Turn left onto Waterloo Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Waterloo Road
4
Turn left onto Sergeant Road
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
5
Turn slight right
161 ft
·
8 sec
6
Take the ramp straight
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
10
Keep slight left
121 ft
·
5 sec
11
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
12
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
13
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
8 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
14
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is only 59.3 miles and takes under an hour, you have the flexibility to leave whenever you're ready. With a fuel cost of around $9, there's no need to stress about frequent refueling stops. The route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying close attention to navigation, especially around the 58-minute mark as you approach Cedar Rapids. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any rush hour traffic and to enjoy a leisurely pace. Because there are no designated stops in the data, you can easily build in spontaneous breaks at any point along 6th Street, Waterloo Road, or Sergeant Road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 29.6 miles from Hudson, IA, or about 29m into the drive.
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 59.3 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.6 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, IA
This is one driving day of about 59.3 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hudson, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.6 mi from Hudson, IA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.6 miles from Hudson, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.27 one way
$18.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.41 | $22.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.09 | $26.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.23 | $2.85 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.80 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Evening in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
8:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Waterloo, IA
30 mi in
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
4 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
58m 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 Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 59.3 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 6th Street, Waterloo Road, Sergeant Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.6 miles from Hudson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 58m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hudson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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