Albia, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 130.1 miles and takes about 2h 48m via I 80, US 63, and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, taking you through the Midwest region. Expect a mostly highway-focused drive that's straightforward for a single-day journey. It's a relatively short distance, making it an easy option if you're looking for a quick hop between these two points without extensive planning.
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
65.1 miles from Albia, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
46.5 mi
49m
US 63
22.6 mi
32m
Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi
24m
East Market Street
20.7 mi
30m
State Highway 137
14.5 mi
21m
32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 46.5 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albia, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
170 ft·12 sec·South 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto CR H35
356 ft·9 sec·Benton Avenue East
4
Turn right onto IA 5
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Main Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 137
14 mi·21 min·State Highway 137
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
7
Merge onto US 63; IA 163
7.5 mi·8 min·US 63; IA 163
8
Take the exit onto US 63
15 mi·23 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: Oskaloosa, New Sharon
9
Turn right onto US 63
21 mi·30 min·East Market Street
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·49 min·I 80
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
14
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
22 mi·24 min·Avenue of the Saints
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
16
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft·8 sec
17
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi·36 sec·29th Street Northeast
18
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Oakland Road Northeast
19
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·32nd Street Northeast
20
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
21
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
22
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
23
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2h 48m drive time, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving Albia in the morning allows ample time to reach Cedar Rapids before evening. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along your chosen route, perhaps around the halfway point or at a larger town for a quick break. Keep an eye on fuel, especially since the estimated cost is around $20; ensure you're topped off before starting, as longer stretches on I 80 might have fewer immediate service areas. For this distance, a single fuel stop is likely sufficient if needed.
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 65.1 miles from Albia, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.5 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 29 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.1 miles or 1h 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 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 Albia, 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 Albia, IA
This is one driving day of about 130.1 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Albia, 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 I 80 for about 46.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.4 — 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|CR H35 / Benton Avenue East
Turn left onto CR H35 / Benton Avenue East
Navigation decision point
5
22.9 mi into trip|~32m in|US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 North: Oskaloosa, New Sharon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63 North: Oskaloosa, New Sharon
5
105.5 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
106 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39
0
$13.66
$6.24
Efficient EV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
EV Truck/SUV
52
0
$18.21
$8.33
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Albia, IA
Late night
in Albia on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
65 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
18 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 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the journey utilizing interstates and major highways. You'll encounter stretches on I 80, US 63, and the Avenue of the Saints, offering a mix of speeds and road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 46.5 miles on I 80, allowing for sustained driving. While largely highway, the overall feel is practical and efficient, designed for getting you to your destination smoothly.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.5 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 63. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR H35 / Benton Avenue East.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 130.1 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: near the start (CR H35 / Benton Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Albia, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward New Sharon and Waterloo.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 130.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.5 miles on I 80. 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: near the start (CR H35 / Benton Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 22.9 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
