Council Bluffs to Cedar Rapids is 249.6 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I 80 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa on a mix of major interstate and surface roads. Expect a straightforward drive with practical considerations for travelers looking to cover ground efficiently. With a single day recommended, it's a manageable route for most road-trippers.
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
124.8 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
132.7 mi
2h 24m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi
7m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 132.7 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,197 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Council Bluffs, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on West Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway
2
Continue on West Broadway
0.6 mi·1 min·West Broadway
3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi·7 min·West Kanesville Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 80
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8
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.
9
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
10
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
13
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
15
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
19
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
22
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
23
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
24
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
25
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
26
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Council Bluffs in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight for your 4h 48m drive. With a total distance of 249.6 miles, this trip is easily completed in one day, but consider an early start to allow for a relaxed pace. The $38 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Pay attention to the transition points between I 80 and the Lincoln Highway, as this is where your driving experience will change the most.
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 124.8 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.7 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 54m
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 Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs, IA
This is one driving day of about 249.6 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 132.7 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 119.2 and 247.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
247 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
247.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
$36.86 one way
$73.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.69
$81.39
premium
$4.72
$46.34
$92.69
diesel
$4.80
$47.13
$94.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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
Council Bluffs, IA
Late night
in Council Bluffs on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
S 3 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
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph5% 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
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 48m 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 57% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 4h 48m on interstates. The longest stretch on I 80 covers 132.7 miles, offering a period of consistent cruising before transitioning to surface roads. You'll notice the shift from the higher speeds and denser exits of the interstate to more varied terrain and potentially lower speed limits as you move onto roads like Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.7 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 119.2 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 16 significant decision points across 249.6 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 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 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
1,374 ft808 ft
Total Climb
501 ft
Total Descent
682 ft
Highest Point
1,374 ft
~71.3 mi in
Elevation Range
567 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Council Bluffs, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
Council Bluffs is a city in Southwest Iowa, just across the Missouri River from Omaha. It is known for its casinos and ties to the transcontinental railroad. It is sometimes called "Iowa's Leading Edge."
Top landmarks
•Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial — statue in Council Bluffs, United States of America
•Grenville M. Dodge House — historic house in Iowa, United States
•RailsWest Railroad Museum — railway station in Council Bluffs, the United States of America
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 48m. Total distance: 249.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.7 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 119.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
