This 292.1-mile drive from Akron to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 50 minutes, making it a manageable single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's an economical journey across the Midwest. The route primarily uses local roads, including 220th Street and Highway 20, with only about 25% on highways. You'll find the drive to be more about navigating local routes than cruising on interstates. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. This trip is a straightforward way to travel between two points within Iowa.
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
146.1 miles from Akron, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
165.9 mi
3h 11m
Avenue of the Saints
42.3 mi
45m
Highway 20
39.4 mi
47m
State Highway 12
16.2 mi
22m
United States Highway 20
8.3 mi
10m
State Highway 3
4.7 mi
6m
Gordon Drive
4.6 mi
9m
I 29
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 165.9 mi, about 3h 11m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,006 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
54 ft·4 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Reed Street
277 ft·13 sec·Reed Street
3
Turn left onto IA 12
0.4 mi·58 sec·State Highway 12
4
Continue on IA 3; IA 12
4.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
5
Continue on IA 12
0.3 mi·23 sec·State Highway 12
6
Continue on IA 12
0.2 mi·17 sec·Portland Street
7
Continue on IA 12
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 12
8
Continue on IA 12
2.8 mi·3 min·Sioux River Road
9
Turn right onto IA 12
2.1 mi·4 min·Riverside Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 29 South
11
Merge onto I 29
2.9 mi·3 min·I 29
12
Take the exit onto US 20 Business
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 20 Business
Toward DowntownUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 20 Business
0.1 mi·21 sec·South Virginia Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 20 Business
4.6 mi·9 min·Gordon Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 20
39 mi·47 min·Highway 20
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 20
8.3 mi·10 min·United States Highway 20
17
Continue on US 20
166 mi·3 hr 11 min·220th Street
18
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
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
21
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
22
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
23
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
24
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
25
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 50-minute duration, starting your drive from Akron in the morning will allow you to reach Cedar Rapids by the afternoon. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $46, you have flexibility in pacing. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route; it's advisable to have your GPS or map readily available, especially during the 165.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. This route is best suited for a single-day adventure, so pack snacks and enjoy the local scenery as you travel.
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 146.1 miles from Akron, IA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.9 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 64 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.1 miles or 3h 3m 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 51m
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 Akron, 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 Akron, IA
This is one driving day of about 292.1 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Akron, 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 220th Street for about 165.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 248.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Reed Street
Turn right onto Reed Street
Navigation decision point
5
24 mi into trip|~33m in|IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Turn right onto IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
26.1 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the ramp toward I 29 South
Navigation decision point
Toward I 29 South
6
29.3 mi into trip|~42m in|US 20 Business
Take the exit onto US 20 Business toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Downtown
6
248.1 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.14 one way
$86.27 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.62
$95.24
premium
$4.72
$54.23
$108.47
diesel
$4.80
$55.15
$110.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.6
1
$30.67
$14.02
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.56
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.89
$18.69
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Akron, IA
Late night
in Akron on Sunday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
S 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 292.1-mile journey. While there's a 25% highway share, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads like 220th Street and Highway 20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 165.9 miles on 220th Street, so you'll have periods of steady driving before needing to navigate turns. This profile suggests a route that winds through communities rather than bypassing them. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to local road conditions and frequent adjustments.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.9 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Reed Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Reed Street): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,400 ft808 ft
Total Climb
388 ft
Total Descent
725 ft
Highest Point
1,400 ft
~83.5 mi in
Elevation Range
593 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Akron, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
29.3 mi in|~42m|via US 20 Business
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cedar Rapids is a city in Eastern Iowa. In 2016, it was the second largest city in Iowa by population and is home to about 137,000 residents. Largely known as an industrial, working class city, Cedar Rapids has begun to grow and expand employment opportunities in the service sector, attracting new residents to the area. While out of the way of most major travel routes and destinations, a stop in Cedar Rapids may uncover a great taste of the Midwest. Typical Iowa hospitality is not lost here.
Top landmarks
•Mother Mosque of America — historic mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
•Douglas and Charlotte Grant House — historic house in Iowa, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 292.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (25%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.9 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Reed Street): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.1 miles: Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cedar Rapids, IA before the return drive.
