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Trip from Jefferson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h

Distance

148.4 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m

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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city in Greene County, Iowa, United States

Jefferson, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Jefferson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 148.4 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 230th Street, 220th Street, 73rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.2 miles on 230th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.20 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

74.2 miles from Jefferson, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 148.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 136.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 136.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
136.3 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
5
145.5 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
7
145.8 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
7
145.9 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
5
147 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.

Marion

136.3 mi in | ~2h 43m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
230th Street 77.2 mi 1h 29m
220th Street 31 mi 40m
73rd Street 26.8 mi 30m
IA 100 8.3 mi 9m
North Elm Street 1.3 mi 2m
32nd Street Northeast 1.3 mi 2m
Avenue of the Saints 0.5 mi <1m
Tiperary Drive Northeast <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: 230th Street — 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Lincolnway Street

22 ft · 7 sec · West Lincolnway Street
2

Turn left onto IA 4

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Elm Street
3

Turn right onto US 30

31 mi · 40 min · 220th Street
4

Continue on US 30

77 mi · 1 hr 29 min · 230th Street
5

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street
6

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
7

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
11

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
13

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec
14

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
15

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
16

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
17

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
18

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 74.2 miles from Jefferson, IA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 33 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.2 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, IA

This is one driving day of about 148.4 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Jefferson, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.2 mi from Jefferson, IA · 1h 31m into the drive

city and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshalltown, IA

74 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

Madrid, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.2 miles from Jefferson, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.20 one way

$46.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.47 $50.95
premium $4.89 $28.56 $57.12
diesel $5.61 $32.76 $65.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.5 0 $15.58 $7.12
Efficient EV 37.1 0 $12.99 $5.94
EV Truck/SUV 59.4 0 $20.78 $9.50

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Jefferson, IA

Night in Jefferson on Wednesday

Local time

10:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Patchy Fog

WNW 3 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 16 at 7:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Night in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday

Local time

10:04 PM

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

6 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

3h on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Jefferson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 148.4 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, 220th Street, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.2 miles from Jefferson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.20 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 136.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.

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