Corning, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 219 miles and takes about 4 hours 27 minutes via I 80 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Iowa from west to east. Expect a mix of interstate cruising and surface road travel as you make your way toward Cedar Rapids. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, whether you're heading for business or leisure.
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
109.5 miles from Corning, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
71 mi
1h 17m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
750th Street
22.1 mi
32m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
Ironwood Avenue
8.1 mi
12m
State Highway 148
3.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 71 mi, about 1h 17m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,587 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 39 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 Corning, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 8th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·8th Street
2
Turn left onto IA 148
1.0 mi·1 min·Quincy Street
3
Continue on IA 148
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 148
4
Continue on IA 148
8.1 mi·12 min·Ironwood Avenue
5
Continue on IA 148
19 mi·28 min·750th Street
6
Continue on IA 148
0.7 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
7
Turn right onto IA 148
391 ft·6 sec·2nd Street
8
Continue on IA 148
0.3 mi·26 sec·Main Street
9
Turn left onto IA 148
0.4 mi·36 sec·State Highway 148
10
Continue on IA 148
2.9 mi·4 min·750th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
12
Merge onto I 80; US 6
52 mi·55 min·I 80; US 6
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
19
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
20
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
21
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
22
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
26
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
28
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
29
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
30
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
31
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
32
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
33
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour 27-minute drive, consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 219 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. The fuel cost is estimated around $34, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Corning. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 80 to the Lincoln Highway as you approach the latter half of your trip; this change signifies the shift to surface roads and requires adjusting your driving style.
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 109.5 miles from Corning, IA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 48 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
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 Corning, 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 Corning, IA
This is one driving day of about 219 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Corning, 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 I 80 for about 71 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 88.6 and 216.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
88.6 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
103.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
107.6 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
7
216.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
216.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.34 one way
$64.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.70
$71.41
premium
$4.72
$40.66
$81.32
diesel
$4.80
$41.35
$82.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.16
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Corning, IA
Late night
in Corning on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
N 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:22PM CDT until July 20 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
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
4 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
4h 27m 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?
About 38% of this 219-mile trip utilizes the interstate, meaning you'll have roughly 83 miles on I 80. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 71 miles on I 80. After the interstate portion, you'll transition to surface roads, including segments of the historic Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road. Expect a shift in pace as you move from high-speed highway to more local travel.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 88.6 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 219 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 88.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,376 ft808 ft
Total Climb
404 ft
Total Descent
789 ft
Highest Point
1,376 ft
~46.9 mi in
Elevation Range
568 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Corning, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.
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 4h 27m. Total distance: 219 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 miles on I 80. 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 88.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.1 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
