Belmond, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 148.4 miles and takes about 2h 57m via US 20 and US 69, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest's heartland. Expect a straightforward drive focused primarily on efficient highway travel. With only one recommended stop and a total travel time under three hours, this route is ideal for a quick day trip or as a segment of a larger journey through the state. You'll find it a practical way to connect these two points without significant detours.
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
74.2 miles from Belmond, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
75.4 mi
1h 27m
Avenue of the Saints
42.3 mi
45m
US 69
19.7 mi
26m
River Avenue South
8.8 mi
12m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Tiperary Drive Northeast
<0.1 mi
<1m
Crystal Drive Northeast
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmond, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue Northeast
61 ft·4 sec·2nd Avenue Northeast
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 69
8.8 mi·12 min·River Avenue South
4
Turn left onto US 69
20 mi·26 min·US 69
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward US 20 East
6
Merge onto US 20
75 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 20
7
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
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
10
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
11
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
12
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
13
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
14
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows for a full day at your destination in Cedar Rapids. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, perhaps midway through the 75.4-mile stretch on US 20. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town might require planning your fill-up accordingly. This route is simple enough that you can easily adapt your schedule on the fly.
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 74.2 miles from Belmond, IA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 33 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.2 miles or 1h 32m 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 26m
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 Belmond, 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 Belmond, IA
This is one driving day of about 148.4 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Belmond, 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 US 20 for about 75.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147 — 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|East Main Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in|US 69
Turn left onto US 69
Navigation decision point
5
28.6 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
104.4 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
5
147 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.20 one way
$46.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.47
$50.95
premium
$4.89
$28.56
$57.12
diesel
$5.61
$32.76
$65.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.78
$9.50
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Belmond, IA
Night
in Belmond on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
74 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
2 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
2h 57m 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 highway-focused drive, with 64% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on US 20, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 75.4 miles. The journey generally follows a pattern of efficient travel on these main arteries, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. While not a purely interstate experience, the character remains geared towards steady progress rather than meandering scenic byways. The landscape will likely present a consistent Midwest feel throughout.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.4 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 148.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 75.4 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Rapids, IA before heading back.
