Origin
Altoona, IA
Late night in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
111.5 mi
179 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 111.5-mile journey from Altoona, Iowa, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily via local roads, including segments of the historic Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, and 73rd Street, with only a small portion on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $17, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward nature, this route is ideal for a leisurely day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 32.1 mi | 37m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Grant Street South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
6
Continue on Grant Street South
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grant Street South
7
Turn right onto US 65; IA 330
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
10
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
12
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
IA 100
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
16
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Avenue of the Saints
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 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
For this 2-hour, 14-minute drive, starting in the morning offers the most flexibility for any spontaneous stops you might consider, though none are specifically noted on this route. With a fuel cost of approximately $17, you should have plenty of range to reach your destination without needing to refuel, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay close attention to the various local roads, especially the turn-heavy nature of the drive, to ensure you stay on track for Cedar Rapids. The 37-mile stretch on Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment, so plan accordingly if you prefer to break up longer driving periods.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.8 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 1h 7m 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
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 Altoona, 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 Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 111.5 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 99.4 and 110.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
99.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
5
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
7
108.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
109 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
5
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.43 one way
$34.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.46 | $42.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.62 | $49.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.71 | $5.35 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.76 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.61 | $7.14 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
3:03 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
20 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 111.5-mile trip. With only a 7% highway share, you'll be spending most of your time on surface streets and county roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway. This route offers a more connected-to-the-ground driving experience, allowing you to see more of the local landscape as you transition from Altoona towards Cedar Rapids. It's a route that keeps you engaged with frequent changes in direction.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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?
8/10
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 99.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 111.5 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 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Altoona, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
99.4 mi in
|
~1h 57m
About the Cities
Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 111.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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