Trip from Norwalk, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

131.9 mi

212 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 30m ★

6 AM

2h 41m

8 AM

3h 2m

10 AM

2h 48m

12 PM

2h 46m

3 PM

2h 49m

5 PM

3h 1m

8 PM

2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Connecting Norwalk to Cedar Rapids is a straightforward 131.9-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 40 minutes on the road, making this an ideal one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $20, it is an accessible trip for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery. Because the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the drive. This trip is best approached as a direct transit, allowing you to enjoy the local character of Iowa without the fatigue of a multi-day trek.

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

65.9 miles from Norwalk, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 6% of this route is comprised of high-speed highways. Your journey will rely on a variety of local roads, including Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street, and sections of the Lincoln Highway. The most significant portion of the drive is a 37-mile stretch along the Lincoln Highway, which offers the longest uninterrupted segment of your travel. Because you will be navigating local paths for the vast majority of the 131.9 miles, stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 131.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles (US 6 / Hubbell Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

19 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona

19.7 mi into trip | ~26m in | US 6 / Hubbell Avenue

Turn right onto US 6 / Hubbell Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

129.3 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

129.4 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Towns Along This Route

Between Norwalk, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Altoona and Marion.

Altoona

19 mi in | ~24m

Marion

119.8 mi in | ~2h 23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lincoln Highway	37 mi	42m
Northeast Hubbell Road	33.5 mi	39m
73rd Street	26.8 mi	30m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	14.5 mi	16m
IA 100	8.3 mi	9m
County Road G14	1.4 mi	2m
32nd Street Northeast	1.3 mi	2m
Hubbell Avenue	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 37 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.

Start on Main Street

82 ft · 8 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto CR G14

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Avenue

Continue on County Road G14

1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road G14

At end of road, turn left onto CR R63

1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R63

Continue on CR R63

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Southwest 9th Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 42 sec

Merge onto IA 5

14 mi · 16 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 6

1.2 mi · 1 min · Hubbell Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Budget for at least one planned stop to break up the 2-hour and 40-minute duration and keep your focus sharp. Given that the route is heavily reliant on local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns efficiently. Fill your tank before leaving Norwalk to easily cover the $20 fuel cost and avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic will help ensure you maintain a smooth, steady pace toward Cedar Rapids.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 65.9 miles from Norwalk, IA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 65.9 miles or 1h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 10m

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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA

This is one driving day of about 131.9 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Norwalk, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 65.9 mi from Norwalk, IA · 1h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

66 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

Cedar Falls, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from Norwalk, 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

$20.03 one way

$40.07 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.09	$44.17
premium	$4.80	$24.90	$49.80
diesel	$5.64	$29.30	$58.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	39.6	$13.85	$6.33
Efficient EV	33	$11.54	$5.28
EV Truck/SUV	52.8	$18.47	$8.44

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Norwalk, IA

Afternoon in Norwalk on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°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

7 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

2h 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 Norwalk, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 131.9 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.9 miles from Norwalk, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.03 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Norwalk, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Altoona and Marion.

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Trip from Norwalk, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Norwalk, IA

Cedar Rapids, IA

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 40m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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