Planning a trip from Mitchellville to Cedar Rapids? This 108.3-mile drive will take you about 1 hour and 49 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with no highway driving to speak of, so expect a more connected experience with the landscape. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $16. Given its manageable distance and local road focus, this route is ideal for a relaxed day trip within the Midwest region of Iowa. You won't need to worry about breaking up the drive or finding overnight accommodations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.9 miles from Mitchellville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
89.7 mi
1h 36m
Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi
24m
32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
6th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
<1m
Northeast 112th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Center Avenue North
0.3 mi
<1m
29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mitchellville, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
97 ft·8 sec·2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto CR S27
0.3 mi·39 sec·Center Avenue North
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR S27
0.5 mi·54 sec·6th Street Northwest
4
Turn right onto CR S27
0.4 mi·42 sec·Northeast 112th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 80; US 6
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
9
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
22 mi·24 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
11
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft·8 sec
12
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi·36 sec·29th Street Northeast
13
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Oakland Road Northeast
14
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·32nd Street Northeast
15
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
16
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
17
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
18
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
For this 108.3-mile journey, leaving Mitchellville at your leisure is a good plan since it's a relatively short drive. With a duration of under two hours and no highway sections, you can easily complete it in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16, and plan for fuel stops if needed, though with no specified longest stretch, you'll be passing through populated areas frequently. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying alert and having your navigation ready is key to a smooth experience.
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 57.9 miles from Mitchellville, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 25 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 3m 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 44m
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 Mitchellville, 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 Mitchellville, IA
This is one driving day of about 115.9 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Mitchellville, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 89.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 91.2 and 114.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
114.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Oakland Road Northeast
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.12 one way
$36.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.89
$39.79
premium
$4.89
$22.30
$44.61
diesel
$5.61
$25.59
$51.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.14
$4.64
EV Truck/SUV
46.4
0
$16.23
$7.42
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Mitchellville, IA
Morning
in Mitchellville on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Morning
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
23 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
2h 10m 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,' meaning you'll be engaging with the road frequently, making numerous turns. With 0% highway share, you'll spend the entire 1 hour and 49 minutes on local streets and roads, such as Center Avenue North, 6th Street Northwest, and Northeast 112th Street. There isn't a 'longest stretch' specified, suggesting a continuous series of intersections and road changes rather than long, uninterrupted segments. This driving style offers a more intimate feel with the towns and countryside you pass through, demanding consistent attention.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 91.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: 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.
On the drive from Mitchellville, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo 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 2h 10m. Total distance: 115.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on I 80. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
