Origin
Manson, IA
Late night in Manson on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manson, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
173.1 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manson, IA
Dany Castrejon
Trip Overview
This 173.1-mile drive from Manson, Iowa, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes. The primary roads you'll be using are US 20 and the Avenue of the Saints, making up a significant portion of your journey. With a highway share of 71%, expect a relatively fast-paced drive. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $27. This drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for traversing the heart of the Midwest.
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
86.6 miles from Manson, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 122.7 mi | 2h 21m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.3 mi | 45m |
| Tabor Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Sigourney Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 32nd Street Northeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 220th Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| 8th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 10th Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 122.7 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manson, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
35 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
8th Street
4
Continue on Tabor Avenue
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Tabor Avenue
5
Turn right onto IA 7
25 ft
·
5 sec
·
190th Street
6
Turn left onto Tabor Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Tabor Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto D26
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
220th Street
8
Turn left onto CR N65
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sigourney Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 20
123 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
US 20
10
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
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
12
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft
·
4 sec
13
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
32nd Street Northeast
14
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
15
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft
·
7 sec
·
Crystal Drive Northeast
16
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft
·
18 sec
·
Tiperary Drive Northeast
17
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Cedar Rapids with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short overall distance, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 122.7-mile stretch on US 20, as services might be less frequent. Plan for a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and perhaps grab a snack. The estimated fuel cost of $27 makes this an economical choice for a single-day excursion.
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 86.6 miles from Manson, IA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 47m
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 Manson, 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 Manson, IA
This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Manson, 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 20 for about 122.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Manson, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 171.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
8th Street
At end of road, turn left onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IA 7 / 190th Street
Turn right onto IA 7 / 190th Street
Navigation decision point
6
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
5
171.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.06 one way
$54.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.71 | $59.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.22 | $76.44 |
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: 60.6 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 | 51.9 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.23 | $11.08 |
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.
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
21 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 22m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 71% of the drive on higher-speed roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 122.7 miles on US 20, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. The Avenue of the Saints also contributes to the highway feel. While the majority is on main roads, be prepared for potential transitions as you enter and exit towns. The overall character is one of efficient travel across the Iowa landscape, characterized by smooth cruising on well-maintained highways.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.7 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (IA 7 / 190th Street): Navigation decision point.
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 3h 22m. Total distance: 173.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.7 miles on US 20. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (IA 7 / 190th Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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