Origin
Muscatine, IA
Late night in Muscatine on Wednesday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Muscatine, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
70.8 mi
114 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Muscatine, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Muscatine, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 70.8 miles and takes about 1h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 38 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.07 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
35.4 miles from Muscatine, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 28m highway drive covering 70.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.9 miles on I 80.
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.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 61 Business / East 2nd Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (US 61 Business / East 2nd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 61 Business / East 2nd Street
Enter roundabout onto US 61 Business / East 2nd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
46.5 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
46.8 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right 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 Muscatine, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Waterloo
46.8 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 30.9 mi | 33m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 38 | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| US 6 | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Park Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East 2nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 29th Street Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 30.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscatine, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on Walnut Street
157 ft
·
10 sec
·
Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
360 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
330 ft
·
9 sec
·
Mulberry Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto US 61 Business
193 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 2nd Street
5
Continue on US 61 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
6
Continue on US 61 Business; IA 38; IA 92
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Park Avenue
7
Continue on IA 38
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 38
8
Continue on US 6
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 6
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 80
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
13
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
15
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft
·
8 sec
16
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
17
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Road Northeast
18
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
·
1 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
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 35.4 miles from Muscatine, IA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 70.8 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.4 miles or 45m 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 14m
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 Muscatine, 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 Muscatine, IA
This is one driving day of about 70.8 miles and 1h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Muscatine, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.4 mi from Muscatine, IA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 70.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Muscatine, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$11.07 one way
$22.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.15 | $24.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.62 | $27.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.63 | $31.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.43 | $3.40 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.91 | $4.53 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Wednesday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 13 at 4:41PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 13 at 3:13PM CDT until April 13 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 28m 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 Muscatine, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 70.8 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 38. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.4 miles from Muscatine, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.07 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (US 61 Business / East 2nd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Muscatine, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
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