Origin
Monticello, IA
Evening in Monticello on Wednesday
Local time
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
40m
Distance
34.6 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, IA
Serena Koi
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Monticello to Cedar Rapids, this 34.6-mile journey serves as a straightforward connection between two Midwest communities. Clocking in at approximately 40 minutes, the trip is easily manageable as a quick day outing rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend about $5 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Because the route relies on local roads like East 1st Street, South Main Street, and Amber Road, you won't be dealing with high-speed interstate traffic. It is an efficient, no-fuss way to navigate through Iowa, perfect for travelers who prefer local roads over major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17.3 miles from Monticello, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Since this route utilizes 0% highway driving, you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 34.6-mile duration. The road layout is consistent, with no significant stretches of uninterrupted driving; even the longest segment on East 1st Street doesn't offer a long-distance highway feel. You will find that the personality of this drive is dictated by local navigation rather than open-road cruising. It is a practical, steady pace that requires your attention on turns rather than high-speed maneuvering.
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.
East 1st 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 Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 40m 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 Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 1st Street | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
| Amber Road | — | — |
| East Post Road | — | — |
| 30th Street Drive Southeast | — | — |
| 29th Street Drive Southeast | — | — |
| 29th Street Northeast | — | — |
| Lindale Avenue Northeast | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 1st Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on North Maple Street
72 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Maple Street
2
Turn left onto East 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 1st Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on Amber Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Amber Road
5
Take the ramp right
25 mi
·
29 min
6
Turn left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
7
Turn right
2.6 mi
·
3 min
8
Turn left onto East Post Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Post Road
9
Turn right onto 30th Street Drive Southeast
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
30th Street Drive Southeast
10
Continue on 29th Street Drive Southeast
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
29th Street Drive Southeast
11
Continue on 29th Street Northeast
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
12
Turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Lindale Avenue Northeast
13
Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Tiffany Drive Northeast
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just 40 minutes, you have maximum flexibility when planning your departure. There are no mandatory stops required to complete this trip, allowing you to drive straight through to your destination. Keep in mind that because you are relying on local roads, traffic patterns on Amber Road or South Main Street may fluctuate based on the time of day. Budgeting $5 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip, but it is always smart to fill up before you leave Monticello to avoid hunting for stations in transit. Enjoy the convenience of a short, predictable route that gets you to Cedar Rapids without the stress of interstate congestion.
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 17.3 miles from Monticello, IA, or about 20m 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 34.6 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.3 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Monticello, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monticello, IA
This is one driving day of about 34.6 miles and 40m.
At 34.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.3 mi from Monticello, IA · 20m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.3 miles from Monticello, 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
$5.41 one way
$10.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.94 | $11.88 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.66 | $13.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.64 | $15.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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 Wednesday
Local time
6:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
40m 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 Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 34.6 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 1st Street, South Main Street, Amber Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.3 miles from Monticello, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.41 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 Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 40m 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 Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monticello, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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