Bedford, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 239.2 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 35 and State Highway 2, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip primarily on highways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Expect a mix of driving conditions as you transition from interstate to surface roads. This trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
119.6 miles from Bedford, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
73.1 mi
1h 19m
State Highway 2
48.7 mi
1h 11m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
I 80
4.5 mi
5m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on IA 148
0.1 mi·13 sec·Madison Street
2
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.4 mi·46 sec·Pearl Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto CR N44
0.1 mi·13 sec·Pearl Street
4
Continue on CR N44
0.4 mi·40 sec·County Road N44
5
Turn right onto IA 2
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 2
6
Continue on IA 2
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 2
7
Continue on IA 2
34 mi·49 min·State Highway 2
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
9
Merge onto I 35
73 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
11
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.
12
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
13
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
18
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
22
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
25
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
26
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
27
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
28
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
29
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the sub-5-hour drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach Cedar Rapids without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before transitioning to longer stretches on surface roads. A good time to refuel might be before you leave I 35.
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 119.6 miles from Bedford, IA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 53 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 30m 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
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, IA
This is one driving day of about 239.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Bedford, 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 35 for about 73.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.1 and 236.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
50.1 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
123.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
236.6 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
$37.40 one way
$74.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.06
$82.12
premium
$4.89
$46.03
$92.06
diesel
$5.61
$52.81
$105.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.12
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.49
$15.31
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bedford, IA
Late night
in Bedford on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
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
4h 53m 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?
You'll spend about 56% of this 239.2-mile drive on highways like I 35. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 73.1 miles on I 35. After that, the route shifts to surface roads, including State Highway 2 and the Lincoln Highway. Drivers will notice the transition from faster interstate speeds to more rural cruising as the road network changes.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.1 miles in near I 35.
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 17 significant decision points across 239.2 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 50.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.7 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 Bedford, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
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 4h 53m. Total distance: 239.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.7 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
