Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Gilbert, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
115.6 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gilbert, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
This 115.6-mile drive from Cedar Rapids, IA, to Gilbert, IA, will take you approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, this route offers a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $18, it's an economical option for a short excursion. You'll primarily navigate local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, suggesting a more connected-to-the-landscape experience. This trip is ideal for those who prefer a less hurried pace and a more direct connection to the communities along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 65.7 mi | 1h 16m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Grand Avenue | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| East Riverside Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Dayton Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| I 35 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 65.7 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Gilbert, 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
15
Merge onto I 35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
17
Turn left onto East 13th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 13th Street
18
Turn right onto Dayton Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dayton Avenue
19
Turn left onto East Riverside Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Riverside Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Avenue
21
Turn left onto CR E23
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
170th Street
22
Continue on CR E23
515 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Mathews Drive
23
Enter roundabout onto CR E23
115 ft
·
3 sec
·
Mathews Drive
24
Continue on CR E23
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mathews Drive
25
Arrive at destination
CR E23
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 22-minute duration and 115.6-mile length, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can easily depart Cedar Rapids in the morning and arrive in Gilbert by midday. The fuel cost is estimated at a manageable $18, so no major budget concerns there. Since there are no designated 'longest stretch' segments and it's a turn-heavy local drive, keep your eyes peeled for road signs as you'll be making frequent adjustments. Planning to leave Cedar Rapids after the morning rush hour should provide a smoother start.
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 57.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, 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 115.6 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 65.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lincoln Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 115.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward IA 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 100
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...
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: I...
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
CR E23 / Mathews Drive
Enter roundabout onto CR E23 / Mathews Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.07 one way
$36.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.84 | $39.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.25 | $44.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.52 | $51.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
| Efficient EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.18 | $7.40 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Gilbert, IA
Night in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
11:14 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 22m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 115.6-mile journey, as the highway share is 0%. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads, including Crystal Drive Northeast, 32nd Street Northeast, and Avenue of the Saints. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll likely experience frequent turns and a consistent pace governed by local traffic conditions. This type of route can offer a more intimate view of the Iowa landscape, with opportunities to see more of the immediate surroundings as you transition between different local thoroughfares.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.7 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 115.6 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 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: 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.
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 Gilbert, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Usda Veterinary Labs.
Marshalltown
11.1 mi in
|
~15m
Usda Veterinary Labs
106.1 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.7 miles on Lincoln Highway. 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 Gilbert, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gilbert, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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