Traveling from Coon Rapids to Cedar Rapids covers 173.5 miles across the heart of the Iowa Midwest. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $26, the journey is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. You will navigate primarily via local roads like Sumpter Avenue, County Highway E63, and 330th Street rather than major interstates. Because this route avoids highways entirely, it is best suited for those who prefer a slower, more deliberate pace rather than a high-speed commute.
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
86.8 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
230th Street
77.2 mi
1h 29m
220th Street
39.9 mi
52m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
E Avenue
9.8 mi
14m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
330th Street
6 mi
10m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Locust Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coo n Rapids, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto Sumpter Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·Sumpter Avenue
3
Continue on Sumpter Avenue
240 ft·4 sec·Sumpter Avenue
4
Continue on County Highway E63
0.2 mi·20 sec·County Highway E63
5
Continue on E63
6.0 mi·10 min·330th Street
6
Turn left onto IA 25
9.0 mi·13 min·E Avenue
7
Continue on IA 25
1.1 mi·1 min·Locust Street
8
Continue on IA 25
0.8 mi·1 min·E Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 30
40 mi·52 min·220th Street
10
Continue on US 30
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·230th Street
11
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
13
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
17
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
20
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
21
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
22
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
23
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
24
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 173.5-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility to complete the journey in one sitting. I recommend planning for at least one stop to break up the frequent turns and keep your focus sharp. Since you are navigating local roads rather than major thoroughfares, leave early to avoid any unexpected delays at intersections or slow-moving rural traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as local routes may have fewer service stations than interstate corridors. A great tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS navigation before departure, as relying on local roads like 330th Street can involve complex turns that are easy to miss.
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 86.8 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 38 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 54m 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 58m
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 Coo n 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 Coo n Rapids, IA
This is one driving day of about 173.6 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Coo n 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 230th Street for about 77.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.5 and 172.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
161.5 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
5
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
7
171 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
7
171.2 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
5
172.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.14 one way
$54.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.80
$59.60
premium
$4.89
$33.41
$66.82
diesel
$5.61
$38.33
$76.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.1
0
$18.23
$8.33
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.94
EV Truck/SUV
69.4
0
$24.30
$11.11
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 16, 2026
Origin
Coo n Rapids, IA
Night
in Coo n Rapids on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
9:47 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
25 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Since this route features a 0% highway share, you won't experience the monotony of interstate cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Sumpter Avenue, meaning you will frequently navigate turns and intersections throughout the trek. This is a technical, winding path that requires you to stay alert as you transition between local roads and county highways. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the rural landscape rather than zoning out on a multi-lane expressway.
Only 5% 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: 77.2 mi on 230th Street.
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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 161.5 miles in.
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 173.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,186 ft808 ft
Total Climb
298 ft
Total Descent
663 ft
Highest Point
1,186 ft
~12.4 mi in
Elevation Range
378 ft
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 Coo n Rapids, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
161.5 mi in|~3h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 173.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.2 miles on 230th Street. 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
