Spanning 103.1 miles through the heart of the Midwest, this drive from Cedar Rapids to Charles City is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. You can easily manage this trip in a single day, making it an efficient choice for those who prefer to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay. With a total estimated fuel cost of $16, the route remains budget-friendly for solo drivers or small groups. You will navigate via I-380, the Leo P Rooff Expressway, and the Avenue of the Saints. Because both locations are situated within Iowa, you remain firmly in the Midwest, enjoying a consistent regional feel throughout the entire trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
89.1 mi
1h 39m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
West Washington Street
1.3 mi
1m
32nd Street Northeast
1.2 mi
2m
South Grand Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Shadow Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
US 218
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 89.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Charles City, 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
48 mi·52 min·Avenue of the Saints
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
7
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Washington Expressway
8
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi·51 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
9
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
10
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi·1 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
11
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
13
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
41 mi·47 min·Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit onto US 218 Business
0.4 mi·52 sec·US 218 Business
Toward US 18 East, US 218 Business, CR T64: Charles City, New Hampton
15
Turn right onto US 18; US 218 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Shadow Avenue
16
Continue on US 18; US 218 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·South Grand Avenue
17
Continue on US 18; US 218 Business
383 ft·15 sec·Gilbert Street
18
Turn right onto US 18
0.4 mi·57 sec·Brantingham Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 18
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour jaunt, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to hit the road whenever it best suits your schedule. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops given the relatively short duration, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you are covered for the $16 estimated cost. Because the route features a significant 89.1-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, try to time your drive to avoid potential rush hour congestion near the Cedar Rapids departure point. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival in Charles City for a mid-morning or afternoon check-in. Staying mindful of the turn-heavy nature of the local sections will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace throughout the trip.
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 51.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.1 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 58m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charles City, 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 103.1 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 89.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 102.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Crystal Drive Northeast
Continue onto Crystal Drive Northeast
Navigation decision point
6
49.9 mi into trip|~56m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
5
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 218 Business
Take the exit onto US 218 Business toward US 18 East, US 218 Business, CR T64: Charles City, New Hampton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 218 Business, CR T64: Cha...
4
102.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 18 / Brantingham Street
Turn right onto US 18 / Brantingham Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.12 one way
$32.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.70
$35.39
premium
$4.89
$19.84
$39.68
diesel
$5.61
$22.76
$45.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.83
$4.95
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.02
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.43
$6.60
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 13, 2026
Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
9:50 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
Charles City, IA
Night
in Charles City on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
52 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
10 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 2m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 trip offers a distinct blend of road types, characterized primarily as a turn-heavy local drive. While you spend roughly 9% of your time on highways, the experience is defined by the transitions between local segments and faster stretches. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, which provides the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 89.1 miles. Expect a shift in pace as you move off the faster expressway sections and onto more localized roads. This variety keeps the drive engaging, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns that define the character of this Iowa route.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.1 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Crystal Drive Northeast.
Driving Effort5/10
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 103.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.4 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,007 ft809 ft
Total Climb
238 ft
Total Descent
40 ft
Highest Point
1,007 ft
~103.1 mi in
Elevation Range
198 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 103.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.1 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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: at 0.1 miles (Crystal Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 49.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.4 miles (US 218): 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 Charles City, IA before heading back.
