Marshalltown, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 74.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Iowa, connecting two familiar regional hubs. Expect a local feel for most of the journey, with a relatively short travel time that makes it ideal for a single-day trip. The route isn't about sweeping vistas, but rather a practical connection between communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Marshalltown, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
31.5 mi
36m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
South Center Street
2.4 mi
4m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
North 3rd Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Avenue of the Saints
0.5 mi
<1m
East Anson Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 31.5 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshalltown, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on IA 14
0.8 mi·1 min·North 3rd Avenue
2
Turn right onto IA 14
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Anson Street
3
Turn left onto IA 14
2.4 mi·4 min·South Center Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
5
Merge onto US 30
31 mi·36 min·Lincoln Highway
6
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
8
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
12
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
14
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
15
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
16
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
17
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
18
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
19
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour 30 minute duration and 74.1 mile distance, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You can afford to leave mid-morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to overthink refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before departing Marshalltown. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive; keeping your navigation active will be key to smoothly transitioning between Lincoln Highway, 73rd Street, and IA 100 as you approach Cedar Rapids.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.1 miles from Marshalltown, IA, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.5 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 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 1h 15m
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 Marshalltown, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marshalltown, IA
This is one driving day of about 74.1 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Marshalltown, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 31.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10 to $20
Atkins, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13194462739
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 62 and 72.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
62 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.58 one way
$23.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.72
$25.44
premium
$4.89
$14.26
$28.52
diesel
$5.61
$16.36
$32.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Marshalltown, IA
Late night
in Marshalltown on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Belle Plaine, IA
37 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
3 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
1h 30m 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?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a dynamic experience rather than a straight shot. With only 11% of the drive on highways, you'll be navigating more local roads, including segments of Lincoln Highway and 73rd Street, before transitioning to IA 100. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.5 miles on Lincoln Highway, so be prepared for frequent adjustments and varied road conditions. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; it's a more engaged drive through the local Iowa landscape.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.5 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from Marshalltown, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
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 1h 30m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.5 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Rapids, IA before heading back.
