Cedar Rapids to Lake Park is 264.1 miles and takes about 5h 38m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa for its entire length. The route primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed drive than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this is a straightforward option for a single-day journey between these two Iowa cities.
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
132.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
141.2 mi
2h 39m
State Highway 9
52 mi
1h 14m
150th Street
11.6 mi
15m
US Highway 169
6.4 mi
8m
430th Street
6.1 mi
9m
400th Street
5.7 mi
7m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
US Highway 71
5.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 141.2 mi, about 2h 39m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,006 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Lake Park, 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
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
15
Turn left onto IA 9
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 9
16
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·38 sec·North Street
17
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·40 sec·360th Street
18
Continue on IA 9
2.3 mi·3 min·Evergreen Avenue
19
Continue on IA 9
5.0 mi·6 min·State Highway 9
20
Turn right onto CR R74
5.2 mi·7 min·230th Avenue
21
Turn left onto CR A38
5.7 mi·7 min·400th Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 69; IA 9
2.0 mi·2 min·170th Avenue
23
Turn left onto IA 9
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 9
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi·1 min·1st Avenue East
25
Continue on IA 9
6.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 9
26
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 9
385 ft·6 sec·State Highway 9
27
Continue on US 169; IA 9
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 169
28
Continue on IA 9
4.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 9
29
Continue on IA 9
0.7 mi·58 sec·4th Avenue West
30
Continue on IA 9
6.1 mi·9 min·430th Street
31
Continue on IA 9
3.1 mi·4 min·4th Avenue
32
Continue on IA 9
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 9
33
Continue on IA 9
2.9 mi·4 min·East Central Avenue
34
Continue on IA 9
3.3 mi·4 min·State Highway 9
35
Continue on IA 9
1.4 mi·2 min·Highway 9
36
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi·1 min·1st Avenue
37
Continue on IA 9
2.0 mi·2 min·150th Street
38
Continue on US 71; IA 9
5.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 71
39
Continue on US 71; IA 9
2.0 mi·4 min·18th Street
40
Continue on IA 9
9.6 mi·13 min·150th Street
41
Turn right onto M27
1.0 mi·2 min·135th Avenue
42
Continue on South Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Market Street
43
Arrive at destination
North Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 38m estimated driving time, departing Cedar Rapids in the morning should allow you to reach Lake Park with ample daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. Given the significant portion of surface roads, keep an eye out for changing speed limits and local traffic patterns. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on weather or personal preference.
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 132.1 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Park, 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 264.1 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 141.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.9 and 175.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
4
153.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|IA 9 / State Highway 9
Turn left onto IA 9 / State Highway 9
Navigation decision point
4
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|CR R74 / 230th Avenue
Turn right onto CR R74 / 230th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
175.4 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|IA 9 / State Highway 9
Turn left onto IA 9 / State Highway 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.00 one way
$78.00 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.06
$86.11
premium
$4.72
$49.04
$98.07
diesel
$4.80
$49.87
$99.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.11
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.97
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Lake Park, IA
Late night
in Lake Park on Sunday
Local time
1:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM 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
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
5h 38m 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?
This route is mostly surface roads, with highway driving making up 28% of the total mileage. You'll spend the majority of your time on local roads, with a significant 141.2-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you transition away from the limited-access portions of the main highway.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 49.9 miles in near I 380.
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 264.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 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; at 153.1 miles (IA 9 / State Highway 9): Navigation decision point.
Cedar Rapids is a city in Eastern Iowa. In 2016, it was the second largest city in Iowa by population and is home to about 137,000 residents. Largely known as an industrial, working class city, Cedar Rapids has begun to grow and expand employment opportunities in the service sector, attracting new residents to the area. While out of the way of most major travel routes and destinations, a stop in Cedar Rapids may uncover a great taste of the Midwest. Typical Iowa hospitality is not lost here.
Top landmarks
•Mother Mosque of America — historic mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
•Douglas and Charlotte Grant House — historic house in Iowa, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lake Park, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 153.1 miles (IA 9 / State Highway 9): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lake Park, IA before the return drive.
