Origin
Oelwein, IA
Morning in Oelwein on Wednesday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h
Distance
52.7 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oelwein, IA
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
Trip Overview
The drive from Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 52.7 miles and takes about 1h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 10th Street Southeast, Rock Island Road, Palace Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.24 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
26.4 miles from Oelwein, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 1h drive with frequent turns across 52.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
10th Street Southeast 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 Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 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 Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Street Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rock Island Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Palace Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jackson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jamestown Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 5th Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Street East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
10th Street Southeast
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oelwein, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on South Frederick Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
2
Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
10th Street Southeast
3
Turn right onto Rock Island Road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Rock Island Road
4
Continue on Palace Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Palace Road
5
Continue on Jackson Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Jackson Avenue
6
Continue on Main Street North
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street North
7
Continue on Jackson Avenue
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Jackson Avenue
8
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Jamestown Avenue
9
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue Northeast
10
Turn right onto 1st Street East
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street East
11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
12
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Jamestown Avenue
13
Continue on 31st Avenue
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
31st Avenue
14
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
15
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
16
Take the exit slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
17
Keep slight left
121 ft
·
5 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
·
8 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
21
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
22
Arrive at your destination
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 26.4 miles from Oelwein, IA, or about 30m 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 52.7 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.4 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
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 Oelwein, 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 Oelwein, IA
This is one driving day of about 52.7 miles and 1h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oelwein, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from Oelwein, IA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Oelwein, 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
$8.24 one way
$16.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.05 | $18.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.14 | $20.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.64 | $23.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.38 | $3.37 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Morning in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Marion, IA
26 mi in
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
17 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 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 Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 52.7 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 10th Street Southeast, Rock Island Road, Palace Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.4 miles from Oelwein, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.24 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 Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 1h 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 Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oelwein, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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