Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Drive Time

2h

Distance

113.4 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Wapello Street, Highway 63, Highway 149 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.84 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

56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h drive with frequent turns across 113.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Wapello Street	0 mi	0m
Highway 63	0 mi	0m
Highway 149	0 mi	0m
West 6th Street	0 mi	0m
Main Street	0 mi	0m
South Main Street	0 mi	0m
East Jackson Street	0 mi	0m
Highway 92	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: North Wapello Street — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on West Fourth Street

2

Turn right onto North Wapello Street

3

Continue on Old US Highway 63

4

Continue on State Highway 149

5

Continue on State Highway 149

6

Continue on West 6th Street

7

Continue on State Highway 149

8

Continue on Main Street

9

Continue on State Highway 149

10

Continue on State Highway 149

11

Continue on South Main Street

12

Turn right onto East Jackson Street

13

Continue on State Highway 92

14

Turn left onto State Highway 149

15

Continue on Main Street

16

Turn left onto State Highway 149

17

Continue on M Avenue

18

Take the ramp left

19

Merge slight left

20

Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

21

Keep slight left to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

22

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

23

Take the exit slight right toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street

24

Keep slight right

25

Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast

26

Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast

27

Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast

28

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

29

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

30

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

31

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.7 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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.

Trip Strategy

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Iowa City, IA

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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.7 mi from Ottumwa, IA

Iowa City, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Iowa City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.77	$16.84	$33.67
midgrade	$4.25	$18.99	$37.98
premium	$4.65	$20.78	$41.56
diesel	$5.30	$23.68	$47.36

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way.

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 $16.84 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.