Origin
Rockwell City, IA
Morning in Rockwell City on Thursday
Local time
10:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockwell City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
174.5 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockwell City, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
This straightforward 174.5-mile drive from Rockwell City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA takes approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 73% of the journey on major roads, making it a manageable one-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this journey across the Midwest. While there's one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a turn is a significant 126.6 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route offers a practical way to traverse Iowa, connecting two points efficiently.
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
87.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 174.5-mile trip, with 73% of the drive utilizing major roads like US 20 and the Avenue of the Saints. You'll encounter one long, uninterrupted stretch of 126.6 miles primarily on US 20, so settle in for a consistent pace. The profile suggests a mostly highway drive, meaning you'll likely experience steady speeds for extended periods. While not a winding scenic byway, it’s a direct path designed for efficient travel across the Iowa landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 126.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 130.5 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Street
Turn left onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
6
130.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
3
172.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
173.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 126.6 mi | 2h 26m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| Ogden Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Tiperary Drive Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Crystal Drive Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 126.6 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 4th Street
191 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto 1st Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
4
Continue on N57
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Ogden Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 20
127 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
US 20
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
9
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
10
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
11
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
12
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
13
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 22 minute duration, this drive is best tackled in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's wise to fill up before you leave Rockwell City. The longest stretch is over 126 miles, so plan your single stop strategically for fuel or a quick break before hitting that long segment on US 20. This route is designed for efficiency, so embrace the straightforward journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.6 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m
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 Rockwell City, 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 Rockwell City, IA
This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Rockwell City, 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 US 20 for about 126.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.3 mi from Rockwell City, IA · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.28 one way
$54.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.95 | $59.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.58 | $67.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.53 | $77.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.32 | $8.38 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.43 | $11.17 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Thursday
Local time
10:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 22m 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 Rockwell City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 174.5 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, Avenue of the Saints, Ogden Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 130.5 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Rockwell City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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