Origin
Laurens, IA
Afternoon in Laurens on Thursday
Local time
1:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laurens, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
208.2 mi
335 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laurens, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
The drive from Laurens, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 208.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m 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, 220th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.2 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.55 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
104.1 miles from Laurens, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 208.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 9m highway drive covering 208.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 128.2 miles on US 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 128.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 3rd Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 208.2 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: near the start (South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (IA 4 / 220th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
South 3rd Street
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
IA 4 / 220th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto IA 4 / 220th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
35.6 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
164.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m 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
206.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 128.2 mi | 2h 27m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| 220th Avenue | 16.9 mi | 23m |
| 450th Street | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Marengo Avenue | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Marshall Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Cummins Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| Northwest 7th Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurens, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on West Main Street
125 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South 3rd Street
3
Turn left onto IA 10
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 10
4
Continue on IA 10
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
450th Street
5
Continue on IA 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cummins Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto IA 4
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
220th Avenue
7
Continue on IA 4
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 7th Street
8
Continue on IA 4
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Avenue
9
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Marengo Avenue
10
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North East Street
11
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Marengo Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 4
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Marshall Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 20 East
14
Merge onto US 20
128 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
US 20
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
18
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
19
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
20
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
21
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
22
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 104.1 miles from Laurens, IA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 46 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 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 Laurens, 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 Laurens, IA
This is one driving day of about 208.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Laurens, 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 128.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.1 mi from Laurens, IA · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.1 miles from Laurens, 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 128.2 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.
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
$32.55 one way
$65.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.74 | $71.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.07 | $80.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.97 | $91.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.86 | $9.99 |
| Efficient EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.22 | $8.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.3 | 1 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Thursday
Local time
1:26 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
23 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
4h 9m 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 Laurens, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 208.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m 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, 220th 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 104.1 miles from Laurens, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.55 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 208.2 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: near the start (South 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (IA 4 / 220th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Laurens, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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