Connecting Bettendorf to Cedar Rapids is a straightforward 87.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This Midwest transit relies primarily on I-80, I-74, and the Avenue of the Saints to move you across the state. Because the duration is under two hours, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this a very cost-effective commute. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting family, the direct nature of this route ensures you spend less time behind the wheel and more time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Bettendorf, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
57.5 mi
1h 3m
Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi
24m
I 74
4.4 mi
5m
Kimberly Road
1 mi
2m
32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
Middle Road
0.4 mi
1m
29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bettendorf, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·12th Street
3
Continue on Kimberly Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Kimberly Road
4
Turn right onto Middle Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Middle Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·24 sec
6
Merge onto I 74; US 6
4.4 mi·5 min·I 74; US 6
7
Merge onto I 80
57 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 80
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
10
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
22 mi·24 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
12
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft·8 sec
13
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi·36 sec·29th Street Northeast
14
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Oakland Road Northeast
15
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·32nd Street Northeast
16
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
17
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
18
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
19
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate sections is a smart move. Because the entire drive is under two hours, you can comfortably push through in one go without needing a mid-way break. If you are traveling during peak hours, check local traffic reports for the I-80 and I-74 interchanges, as these areas can occasionally slow down. Planning your departure to miss the morning or evening rush will ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 43 minute travel time.
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 44 miles from Bettendorf, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 51m 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 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 Bettendorf, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bettendorf, IA
This is one driving day of about 87.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bettendorf, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 57.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.4 — 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|12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
63.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
63.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right 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
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.23
$4.22
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.69
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Bettendorf, IA
Night
in Bettendorf on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
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
3 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
1h 43m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your time will be spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.5 miles on I-80, providing a steady, high-speed pace for the majority of the trip. The transition between the interstate and the Avenue of the Saints creates a consistent, predictable rhythm for the driver. While you won't encounter technical mountain passes or winding backroads, the route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path through the Iowa landscape. It is the kind of drive where you can settle into a comfortable cruise control setting for most of the duration.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 12th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 87.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 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.
On the drive from Bettendorf, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Waterloo
63.9 mi in|~1h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 87.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 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.
