Origin
Ottumwa, IA
Afternoon in Ottumwa on Sunday
Local time
1:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Drive Time
2h
Distance
113.4 mi
183 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Trip Overview
Connecting Ottumwa to Cedar Rapids, this 113.4-mile trip is a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest. You can expect to spend about two hours behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your estimated fuel cost for the trip sits at approximately $17, keeping it quite budget-friendly. Because there are no designated stops required, you have the flexibility to power through or take your time as you transition between these Iowa hubs. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent Midwestern landscape throughout the entire drive.
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
56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is characterized by a turn-heavy, local feel rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will navigate primarily via North Wapello Street, Highway 63, and Highway 149, which feature a 0% highway share. Because there is no extended highway cruising, be prepared for a more engaged driving experience on smaller roads. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on North Wapello Street, meaning the route requires constant attention to navigation. Expect a changing road environment as you move away from Ottumwa and transition toward Cedar Rapids.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Wapello 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 Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 2h 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 Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Wapello Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 63 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 149 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Jackson Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 92 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Wapello Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on West Fourth Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Fourth Street
2
Turn right onto North Wapello Street
397 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Wapello Street
3
Continue on Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Old US Highway 63
4
Continue on State Highway 149
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 149
5
Continue on State Highway 149
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 149
6
Continue on West 6th Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West 6th Street
7
Continue on State Highway 149
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 149
8
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
9
Continue on State Highway 149
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 149
10
Continue on State Highway 149
10 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 149
11
Continue on South Main Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
12
Turn right onto East Jackson Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Street
13
Continue on State Highway 92
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
State Highway 92
14
Turn left onto State Highway 149
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 149
15
Continue on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn left onto State Highway 149
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 149
17
Continue on M Avenue
12 mi
·
16 min
·
M Avenue
18
Take the ramp left
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
19
Merge slight left
21 mi
·
23 min
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 380, US 218, IA 27
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
22
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
22 mi
·
24 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
23
Take the exit slight right toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
24
Keep slight right
318 ft
·
8 sec
25
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
29th Street Northeast
26
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Road Northeast
27
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
28
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
29
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
8 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
30
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
31
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short two-hour drive, you have the advantage of scheduling flexibility for your departure. Plan to fill your tank before leaving Ottumwa, as the $17 fuel budget is calculated for a direct trip without extra detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, keeping a GPS or map handy is essential to ensure you stay on the correct path across the local roads. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential local traffic congestion. Use the lack of mandatory stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA, or about 1h 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 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA
This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ottumwa, 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 56.7 mi from Ottumwa, IA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, 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
$17.22 one way
$34.45 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.41 | $42.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.19 | $50.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Afternoon in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
1:09 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
3 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 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 Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Wapello Street, Highway 63, Highway 149. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.22 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 Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is easy. At 2h 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 Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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