Origin
Lake City, IA
Late night in Lake City on Thursday
Local time
1:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
188.5 mi
303 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 188.5-mile drive from Lake City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is a manageable one-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. The journey primarily follows US 20 and the Avenue of the Saints, offering a highway-focused experience. Given its reasonable length, this route is perfect for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be traversing familiar Midwestern landscapes throughout your journey.
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
94.3 miles from Lake City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 67% of this route. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on main roads like US 20 and the Avenue of the Saints. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 126.6 miles, so be prepared for extended periods on these primary routes. While largely a highway experience, the road will offer a consistent pace, allowing for efficient travel across Iowa. This drive is designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 126.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 175 / East Main Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 41m 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 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (IA 4 / Norridge Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.4 miles (N57 / North 1st Street): 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.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 175 / East Main Street
Turn left onto IA 175 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
IA 4 / Norridge Avenue
Turn left onto IA 4 / Norridge Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
14.4 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
N57 / North 1st Street
Turn left onto N57 / North 1st Street
Navigation decision point
6
144.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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
187.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 126.6 mi | 2h 26m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| Norridge Avenue | 9 mi | 12m |
| 360th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| Ogden Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West High Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 126.6 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on North Center Street
45 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Center Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on IA 175
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
360th Street
4
Turn left onto IA 4
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Norridge Avenue
5
Turn right onto CR D36
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West High Street
6
Turn left onto N57
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
7
Continue on N57
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Ogden Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 20
127 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
US 20
9
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
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
11
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
12
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
13
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
14
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
15
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
16
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 41-minute drive, starting earlier in the day is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 126.6 miles on US 20, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $29 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra. Given the straightforward nature of the route, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your timing as needed.
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 94.3 miles from Lake City, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.6 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 41 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.3 miles or 1h 54m 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 3m
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 Lake City, 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 Lake City, IA
This is one driving day of about 188.5 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Lake City, 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 126.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.3 mi from Lake City, IA · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.3 miles from Lake City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.6 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
$29.47 one way
$58.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.28 | $72.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.62 | $83.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.79 | $9.05 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.39 | $12.06 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Thursday
Local time
1:57 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 41m 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 Lake City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 188.5 miles and takes about 3h 41m 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, Norridge Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.3 miles from Lake City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.47 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 is a straightforward 3h 41m 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 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (IA 4 / Norridge Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.4 miles (N57 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Lake City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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