Origin
Spencer, IA
Morning in Spencer on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spencer, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 54m
Distance
244.9 mi
394 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 41m
★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spencer, IA
Jonas Horsch
Trip Overview
The drive from Spencer, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 244.9 miles and takes about 4h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, Avenue of the Saints, 130th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 153.3 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.29 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122.4 miles from Spencer, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 54m highway drive covering 244.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 153.3 miles on US 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 153.3 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 US 18; US 71 / Grand Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 54m drive. You will face about 12 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 (US 18; US 71 / Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (4th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 18; US 71 / Grand Avenue
Turn left onto US 18; US 71 / Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
4th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
5
47.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
6
200.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m 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
5
243.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 153.3 mi | 2h 56m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| 130th Avenue | 29.1 mi | 39m |
| 215th Avenue | 13.4 mi | 18m |
| 11th Avenue Southwest | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| County Highway 71 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 11th Street Southwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 153.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on East 4th Street
70 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
4th Street Southwest
4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
4th Avenue Southwest
5
Turn right onto US 71
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
11th Street Southwest
6
Turn left onto US 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Avenue Southwest
7
Continue on US 71
13 mi
·
18 min
·
215th Avenue
8
Continue on US 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
130th Avenue
9
Continue on US 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 71
10
Continue on US 71
28 mi
·
37 min
·
130th Avenue
11
Continue on IA 471
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 71
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
13
Merge onto US 20; US 71
153 mi
·
2 hr 56 min
·
US 20; US 71
14
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
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
17
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
18
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
19
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
20
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
21
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
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 122.4 miles from Spencer, IA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
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 Spencer, 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 Spencer, IA
This is one driving day of about 244.9 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spencer, 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 153.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.4 mi from Spencer, IA · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 122.4 miles from Spencer, 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 153.3 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
$38.29 one way
$76.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.04 | $84.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.13 | $94.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.07 | $108.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.71 | $11.76 |
| Efficient EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98 | 1 | $34.29 | $15.67 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
122 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
29 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
4h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Spencer, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 244.9 miles and takes about 4h 54m 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, 130th 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 122.4 miles from Spencer, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.29 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 54m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 18; US 71 / Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (4th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Spencer, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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