Adel to Cedar Rapids is 140.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 51 minutes via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a local road trip, so expect a more hands-on driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day, offering a straightforward journey across the state.
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
70.3 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
I 80
15.5 mi
17m
290th Street
11.9 mi
17m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on US 169
16 ft·7 sec·Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·Greene Street
3
Continue on US 6
12 mi·17 min·290th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 eastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80; I 35
10 mi·11 min·I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi·50 sec·I 35; I 80
7
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 80; I 35
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
14
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
16
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
23
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
24
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
25
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
26
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
27
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 51-minute duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Consider leaving in the morning to allow for flexibility and to take advantage of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have ample room to adjust your schedule as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when you are on the longer stretches of local roads like the 37-mile segment on Lincoln Highway, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. Plan your fuel stops accordingly before heading out from Adel.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.3 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.3 miles or 1h 27m 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 19m
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 Adel, 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 Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 140.5 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Adel, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 138.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
6
24.6 mi into trip|~32m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
29 mi into trip|~37m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
7
137.9 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
7
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.97 one way
$43.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.12
$48.23
premium
$4.89
$27.04
$54.08
diesel
$5.61
$31.02
$62.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.2
0
$14.75
$6.74
Efficient EV
35.1
0
$12.29
$5.62
EV Truck/SUV
56.2
0
$19.67
$8.99
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Adel, IA
Night
in Adel on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
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
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 51m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, with only 18% of the route on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, including stretches of the historic Lincoln Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37 miles on Lincoln Highway, offering a good opportunity to settle into the drive. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in road type as you make your way northeast, indicating a more engaging and less monotonous experience compared to a pure interstate route.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 140.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Adel, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
Bondurant
29 mi in|~37m|via US 65
Marion
128.4 mi in|~2h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 140.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cedar Rapids, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Rapids, IA before heading back.
