Origin
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Rapids, IA to Osceola, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
169 mi
272 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Osceola, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
This 169-mile drive from Cedar Rapids to Osceola, Iowa, can be comfortably completed in about 3 hours and 18 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate using a mix of roads, including the historic Lincoln Highway and Interstate 35, with roughly 33% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is around $26. With a single recommended stop and the longest continuous stretch being just over 37 miles, this route offers a straightforward and manageable journey across the heart of Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| I 35 | 36.5 mi | 39m |
| 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 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids, IA and Osceola, 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 Moines
Use 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 left at fork onto I 35
36 mi
·
39 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward CR R35
21
Turn left onto CR R35
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road R35
22
Turn right onto US 69
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 69
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart Cedar Rapids at your convenience, perhaps in the morning to maximize daylight, and arrive in Osceola with plenty of time to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the journey; consider doing this around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on the Lincoln Highway segments, as services might be less frequent compared to major interstates. The $26 fuel estimate should give you a clear budget for gas.
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 84.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola, 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 169 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.5 miles from Cedar Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 129.1 — 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...
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...
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
6
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.42 one way
$52.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.52 | $65.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.31 | $74.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.79 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.82 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Osceola, IA
Late night in Osceola on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Colfax, IA
85 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
1 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
3h 18m 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?
This route presents a mixed driving experience, blending highway speeds with more local road segments. While 33% of the drive is on highways, you'll also encounter stretches on roads like the Lincoln Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 37.3 miles on the Lincoln Highway, offering a good period of consistent travel. The overall profile suggests a varied drive that isn't solely focused on interstate speeds, providing a more diverse feel behind the wheel.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 17 significant decision points across 169 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 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Osceola, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
11.1 mi in
|
~15m
Des Moines
75.9 mi in
|
~1h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in Cedar Rapids, IA
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Osceola, IA
Full guide →Osceola is a city in South Central Iowa.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 169 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. 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 Osceola, 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 2.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Osceola, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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