Connecting Norwalk to Cedar Rapids is a straightforward 131.9-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 40 minutes on the road, making this an ideal one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $20, it is an accessible trip for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery. Because the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the drive. This trip is best approached as a direct transit, allowing you to enjoy the local character of Iowa without the fatigue of a multi-day trek.
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
65.9 miles from Norwalk, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
14.5 mi
16m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
County Road G14
1.4 mi
2m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
82 ft·8 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR G14
1.1 mi·1 min·North Avenue
3
Continue on County Road G14
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road G14
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR R63
1.2 mi·2 min·County Road R63
5
Continue on CR R63
0.4 mi·48 sec·Southwest 9th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·42 sec
7
Merge onto IA 5
14 mi·16 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
10
Turn right onto US 6
1.2 mi·1 min·Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
12
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
14
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
15
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
17
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
21
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
23
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
24
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
25
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
26
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
27
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
28
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Budget for at least one planned stop to break up the 2-hour and 40-minute duration and keep your focus sharp. Given that the route is heavily reliant on local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns efficiently. Fill your tank before leaving Norwalk to easily cover the $20 fuel cost and avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic will help ensure you maintain a smooth, steady pace toward 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.9 miles from Norwalk, IA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 29 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 10m
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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA
This is one driving day of about 131.9 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Norwalk, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 129.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona
5
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
129 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
129.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
129.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
$20.62 one way
$41.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.64
$45.28
premium
$4.89
$25.38
$50.77
diesel
$5.61
$29.12
$58.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.6
0
$13.85
$6.33
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.54
$5.28
EV Truck/SUV
52.8
0
$18.47
$8.44
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Norwalk, IA
Night
in Norwalk on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Night
in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
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
25 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 40m 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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 6% of this route is comprised of high-speed highways. Your journey will rely on a variety of local roads, including Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street, and sections of the Lincoln Highway. The most significant portion of the drive is a 37-mile stretch along the Lincoln Highway, which offers the longest uninterrupted segment of your travel. Because you will be navigating local paths for the vast majority of the 131.9 miles, stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 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 19 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 131.9 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 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 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.
Between Norwalk, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Altoona and Marion.
Altoona
19 mi in|~24m
Marion
119.8 mi in|~2h 23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 131.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37 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.
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 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 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.
