Spanning 257.8 miles across Iowa, this trip from Cedar Rapids to Carter Lake is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 58 minutes. You will primarily utilize I-80, the Lincoln Highway, and Marshalltown Boulevard to navigate between these two Midwestern locales. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $39 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable connection across the state, keeping you firmly within the Midwest region for the duration of your drive.
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
128.9 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
124.8 mi
2h 14m
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
US 65
13 mi
15m
Collins Road Northeast
8.2 mi
9m
I 80 Local
2.9 mi
3m
16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 124.8 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Carter Lake, IA.
1
Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast
0.1 mi·32 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
2
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·13 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
3
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.2 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
5
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·40 sec·Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IA 100
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City
9
Merge onto IA 100
8.2 mi·9 min·Collins Road Northeast
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
13
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi·39 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
24 mi·25 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6
2.9 mi·3 min·I 80 Local; US 6
Exit 4BToward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council BluffsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 29; US 6
2.0 mi·2 min·I 29; US 6
Toward I 29 North: Sioux CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 6
1.7 mi·2 min·US 6
Toward I 480 West, US 6 West
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 3Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
25
Turn right onto North 14th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North 14th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn right onto Izard Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Izard Street
27
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi·2 min·North 11th Street
28
Turn right onto East Locust Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Locust Street
29
Turn left onto North 9th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North 9th Street
30
Arrive at destination
North 9th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 257.8-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to keep your arrival time flexible and stress-free. Since the trip requires only one planned stop, you have plenty of freedom to choose where to stretch your legs or refuel based on your personal comfort levels. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the 124.8-mile stretch on I-80, as this is your longest period without significant exits or changes in road character. Because this is a one-day trip, pack light and prioritize keeping your vehicle fueled at the $39 budget estimate to avoid unnecessary mid-route detours. Use the flexibility of the shorter drive time to plan your single stop around a convenient location that breaks up the drive evenly.
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 128.9 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.8 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 57 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 33m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA
This is one driving day of about 257.8 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Cedar Rapids, 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 124.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 55.3
Tama, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm
+16414817332
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 248.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: W...
7
110.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
224.7 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
9
248.3 mi into trip|~4h 42m in|I 80 Local; US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6 toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Blu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.30 one way
$80.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.25
$88.50
premium
$4.89
$49.61
$99.22
diesel
$5.61
$56.92
$113.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.07
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.5
0
$22.56
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.09
$16.50
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 13, 2026
Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Carter Lake, IA
Night
in Carter Lake on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
S 8 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 13 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 58m 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?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between high-speed infrastructure and local thoroughfares. With 56% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of steady cruising and slower, more localized travel. The most significant portion of your trip involves a 124.8-mile stretch along I-80, which serves as the backbone of your drive and allows for consistent progress. As you shift from the interstate to stretches like the Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard, the pace of the road changes, requiring you to adjust your focus from long-distance highway driving to more varied road conditions. This combination ensures that the drive remains engaging rather than purely monotonous.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 257.8 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 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,309 ft809 ft
Total Climb
605 ft
Total Descent
439 ft
Highest Point
1,309 ft
~165.8 mi in
Elevation Range
500 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Carter Lake, IA, road signs point toward Des Moines and Omaha Nebraska.
Des Moines
75.9 mi in|~1h 30m
Omaha Nebraska
224.7 mi in|~4h 16m|via I 80
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 257.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Carter Lake, 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: at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Carter Lake, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
