Traveling from Forest City to Cedar Rapids covers 167.3 miles through the heart of the Iowa Midwest. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes, making this an ideal one-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of around $25, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, it offers a distinct alternative to standard highway travel. Whether you are heading to Cedar Rapids for business or a change of scenery, this direct path is straightforward enough to complete without needing an overnight stay.
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
83.7 miles from Forest City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 18
81.7 mi
1h 34m
Avenue of the Saints
48.5 mi
52m
330th Street
8 mi
10m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
310th Street
5 mi
6m
Washington Street
2.4 mi
3m
Balsam Avenue
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on South 4th Street
358 ft·18 sec·South 4th Street
2
Turn right onto East J Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·East J Street
3
Turn right onto US 69
1.5 mi·2 min·US 69
4
Turn left onto CR B14
8.0 mi·10 min·330th Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto CR S14
2.0 mi·3 min·Balsam Avenue
6
Turn left onto CR B20
5.0 mi·6 min·310th Street
7
Continue on CR S28
1.0 mi·1 min·Grouse Avenue
8
Turn left onto CR B20
1.4 mi·1 min·300th Street
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
10
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
6.2 mi·6 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
12
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
13
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
14
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
15
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
16
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
42 mi·45 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
21
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
22
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
23
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
24
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
25
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 167.3-mile route, you should prioritize leaving early in the day to navigate the local roads in clear daylight. Since there is only one recommended stop planned for the duration of the trip, make sure to fuel up or grab supplies before you head out, as local services may be spaced out. Because the drive is under three hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level behind the wheel. Always keep a close eye on your GPS, as the reliance on East J Street and Balsam Avenue requires precise navigation to stay on track. Staying alert during those frequent turns will ensure a much smoother and more efficient journey to Cedar Rapids.
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 83.7 miles from Forest City, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 45m
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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, IA
This is one driving day of about 167.4 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Forest City, 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 US 18 for about 81.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 123.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East J Street
Turn right onto East J Street
Navigation decision point
5
9.8 mi into trip|~14m in|CR S14 / Balsam Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto CR S14 / Balsam Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
25.7 mi into trip|~35m in|US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
6
116.8 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
123.4 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.17 one way
$52.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.73
$57.47
premium
$4.89
$32.21
$64.43
diesel
$5.61
$36.96
$73.92
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: 58.6 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
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.65
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Forest City, IA
Late night
in Forest City on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Waverly, IA
84 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
4 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
3h 20m 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 as you navigate through the Iowa countryside. Because the route has a highway share of 0%, you won't experience the monotony of high-speed interstate cruising. You will be traveling primarily on East J Street, 330th Street, and Balsam Avenue, which means there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road. Be prepared for constant adjustments and frequent turns as you transition between these local thoroughfares. This is a hands-on driving experience that trades speed for a more intimate look at the regional landscape.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on US 18.
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 0.1 miles in near East J Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 167.4 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 0.1 miles (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (CR S14 / Balsam Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (US 18; IA 27): 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.
Between Forest City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 167.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.7 miles on US 18. 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 0.1 miles (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (CR S14 / Balsam Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (US 18; IA 27): 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 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
