Origin
Mount Pleasant, IA
Late night in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
76.9 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Pleasant, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 76.9 miles and takes about 1h 33m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This relatively short drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a convenient hop between two points. Given its profile as a turn-heavy local drive, expect a more engaged experience than a typical interstate journey. With a recommended one-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when you're ready and arrive without feeling rushed. This route is ideal for those who prefer a more direct, connected drive over long highway stretches.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 76.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll encounter more intersections and changes in direction than you would on a pure highway. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the entire 76.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 71.7 miles along Avenue of the Saints, offering a significant segment of consistent travel. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more attention to navigation and road conditions as you move through towns and varied terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 71.7 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 West Warren Street.
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 1h 33m 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 (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
|
West Warren Street
Turn right onto West Warren Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Jefferson Street
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29t...
5
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Oakland Road Northeast
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 71.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Iowa Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Jefferson Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 29th Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Oakland Road Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Warren Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 71.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on South White Street
58 ft
·
4 sec
·
South White Street
2
Turn right onto West Warren Street
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
West Warren Street
3
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Jefferson Street
4
Continue on North Broadway Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway Street
5
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Iowa Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 218; IA 27
72 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
8
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
10
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Road Northeast
11
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
12
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
13
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
14
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
15
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this 1h 33m drive is short and recommended for a single day, you have the luxury of a flexible departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid any potential morning rush and allow ample time for the journey. With a fuel cost estimated around $12, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch is over 70 miles, so plan for a brief stop if needed for a stretch or a quick break before continuing. Keep an eye on your navigation as you approach Cedar Rapids, given the turn-heavy nature of the route.
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 38.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.7 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.5 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Mount Pleasant, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Pleasant, IA
This is one driving day of about 76.9 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 71.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.5 mi from Mount Pleasant, IA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.02 one way
$24.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.20 | $26.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.80 | $29.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.98 | $33.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.07 | $3.69 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.77 | $4.92 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Saturday
Local time
5:25 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
25 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
1h 33m 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 Mount Pleasant, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 76.9 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Iowa Avenue, North Broadway Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.02 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 1h 33m 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 (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Mount Pleasant, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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