Origin
Independence, IA
Late night in Independence on Friday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
48m
Distance
37.9 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
5 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, IA
Roger Ce
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Independence to Cedar Rapids, you are looking at a quick, 37.9-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. This drive typically takes about 41 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, you can expect a very straightforward travel experience. With fuel costs estimated at just $6, it is an incredibly budget-friendly trek between these two Iowa locations. You won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, as the distance is short enough to complete in under an hour. Whether you are heading into the city for business or returning home, this direct path offers a hassle-free connection.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 37.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, navigating instead via 1st Street East, 3rd Avenue Southeast, and Jamestown Avenue. Because this route lacks major highway stretches, there is no long-distance cruising; in fact, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on 1st Street East. You will need to stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between these local thoroughfares. This is a practical, utilitarian drive that keeps you off the busy freeways and focused on the immediate road ahead.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 20.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East.
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 48m drive. You will face about 8 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 (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
3
15.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
16 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
36.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 20.2 mi | 22m |
| Jamestown Avenue | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| 31st Avenue | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Tiperary Drive Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Crystal Drive Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 20.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southeast
42 ft
·
9 sec
·
5th Avenue Southeast
2
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street East
3
Turn left onto IA 150
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
4
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Jamestown Avenue
5
Continue on IA 150
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
31st Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
7
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
11
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
12
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
13
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
14
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.9 mi from Independence, IA · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Independence, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cedar Rapids, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.93 one way
$11.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.51 | $13.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.29 | $14.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Friday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Center Point, IA
19 mi in
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
21 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
48m 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 Independence, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 37.9 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Jamestown Avenue, 31st Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.9 miles from Independence, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.93 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.
This is a straightforward 48m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Independence, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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