Trip from Conrad, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

83.3 mi

134 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 38m ★

6 AM

1h 46m

8 AM

2h 2m

10 AM

1h 52m

12 PM

1h 50m

3 PM

1h 53m

5 PM

2h 1m

8 PM

1h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Conrad, IA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

Conrad, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 83.3 miles and takes about 1h 46m via 73rd Street, Lincoln Highway, and Wallace Avenue, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a local drive with frequent turns rather than a straight shot, making it a good option for a more engaging, less monotonous journey. With a drive time under two hours, this route is easily manageable for a single day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.6 miles from Conrad, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
73rd Street	26.8 mi	30m
Lincoln Highway	24.7 mi	28m
Wallace Avenue	10.8 mi	14m
IA 100	8.3 mi	9m
Zeller Avenue	2.7 mi	4m
Main Street Road	2.2 mi	3m
330th Street	2 mi	2m
32nd Street Northeast	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: 73rd Street — 26.8 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Conrad, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.

Start on North Main Street

74 ft · 7 sec · North Main Street

Turn left onto CR D67

0.5 mi · 54 sec · East Center Street

Continue on CR D67

2.0 mi · 2 min · 330th Street

Turn right onto CR T29

0.5 mi · 1 min · Center Street

Continue on CR T29

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Kave Avenue

Continue on CR T29

11 mi · 14 min · Wallace Avenue

Continue on Main Street Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Main Street Road

Turn right onto Zeller Avenue

2.7 mi · 4 min · Zeller Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 30

25 mi · 28 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 46 minutes, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a leisurely morning, and still arrive with plenty of daylight. Since the longest stretch is under 30 miles, you won't need to worry about extended periods without fuel stops. Keep an eye on your navigation as you'll be making several turns on local roads; a GPS or reliable map app is recommended to ensure you stay on track for the 83.3-mile journey. The estimated fuel cost of $13 suggests this is an economical trip, so you can focus on enjoying the drive.

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 41.6 miles from Conrad, IA, or about 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.8 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 18 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.6 miles or 55m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Conrad, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Conrad, IA

This is one driving day of about 83.3 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Conrad, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on 73rd Street for about 26.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belle Plaine, IA

42 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

Ferguson, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belle Plaine, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Conrad, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

La Terraza Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Toledo, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+16414817026

Visit website

A9 Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Toledo, Iowa

0.4 mi

Murph's Creamery & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Toledo, Iowa

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.3

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2.8 mi

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

2.5 mi

La Terraza Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+16414817026

Visit website

A9 Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16414842268

Visit website

Murph's Creamery & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16414842022

Visit website

Hardee's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+16414844926

Visit website

Mike's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 4–8:15 pm

+16414843121

Visit website

The Youngville Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 59.5

Watkins, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13195403600

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+16414845661

Visit website

Casey's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+16414842530

Visit website

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

Visit website

Grind Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 71.4

Fairfax, Iowa

Hours: 7–11 am

+13197847798

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Opus Concert Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13193668203

Visit website

Main Street Bakery and Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.6

Keystone, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

+13194422253

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 65.4

Newhall, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.9

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 83.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

1.1 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 71.4

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 11.9

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

The Pump

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.7

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm

+16414817332

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.3

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

The TapHaus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 65.4

Atkins, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13194462739

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 71.1 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

71.1 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

80.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

80.6 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

80.8 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.02 one way

$26.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$14.30	$28.60
premium	$4.89	$16.03	$32.06
diesel	$5.61	$18.39	$36.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25	$8.75	$4.00
Efficient EV	20.8	$7.29	$3.33
EV Truck/SUV	33.3	$11.66	$5.33

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Conrad, IA

Late night in Conrad on Sunday

Local time

2:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Late night in Cedar Rapids on Sunday

Local time

2:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Mostly Cloudy

NW 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

48°F

Belle Plaine, IA

42 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

14 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

1h 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 10% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads like 73rd Street, Lincoln Highway, and Wallace Avenue. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 26.8 miles on 73rd Street, so be prepared for frequent adjustments to your steering and speed. This type of driving can be more engaging than a monotonous interstate cruise, offering a more intimate feel of the Iowa landscape as you pass through towns and rural areas.

Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 26.8 mi on 73rd Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 71.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 71.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

On the drive from Conrad, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.

Marion

71.1 mi in | ~1h 29m

About the Cities

Arriving 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.

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 1h 46m. Total distance: 83.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 26.8 miles on 73rd Street. 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 Cedar Rapids, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Rapids, 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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Explore more options from Conrad, IA or browse trips ending in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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Trip from Conrad, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

La Terraza Mexican Grill

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

La Terraza Mexican Grill

A9 Chinese Restaurant

Murph's Creamery & Grill

Hardee's

Mike's Pizza

The Youngville Cafe

Subway

Casey's

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

Groundswell Cafe

Veritas Cafe

Grind Coffee

Café Saint Pio

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

Opus Concert Cafe

Main Street Bakery and Café

Blink Charging Station

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Red E Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

The Pump

Bistro at Blooms

The TapHaus

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Conrad, IA

Cedar Rapids, IA

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 46m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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