Prairie City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m via I 80 and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest, specifically traversing Iowa for its entire length. It's a straightforward trip that's perfect if you're looking for a simple, efficient journey between these two points without much fuss. Expect a highway-focused experience that gets you there quickly, making it ideal for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from Prairie City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
79.4 mi
1h 25m
Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi
24m
State Highway 117
4.3 mi
6m
Old Hwy 6
1.6 mi
2m
County Highway F48 West
0.8 mi
1m
Highway F48 West
0.8 mi
1m
32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
South League Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on East 5th Street
344 ft·20 sec·East 5th Street
2
Turn left onto North State Street
0.4 mi·33 sec·North State Street
3
Continue on IA 117
4.3 mi·6 min·State Highway 117
4
Continue on IA 117
0.4 mi·38 sec·South League Road
5
Turn right onto CR F48; US 6 Hist
0.8 mi·1 min·County Highway F48 West
6
Continue on CR F48; US 6 Hist
0.8 mi·1 min·Highway F48 West
7
Continue on CR F48; US 6 Hist
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Hwy 6
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Merge onto I 80; US 6
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 80; US 6
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
12
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
22 mi·24 min·Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
14
Keep slight right at fork
319 ft·8 sec
15
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
0.3 mi·36 sec·29th Street Northeast
16
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Oakland Road Northeast
17
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·32nd Street Northeast
18
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
19
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
20
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
21
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 2 hours and 10 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Prairie City in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Cedar Rapids before evening. Since the longest stretch is 79.4 miles, you won't need to worry about extended periods without services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer interstate segments, and plan for a quick stop if needed. The $18 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting this efficient, same-day trip.
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 56.4 miles from Prairie City, IA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 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 Prairie 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 Prairie City, IA
This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Prairie City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 79.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 88.1 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
88.1 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
88.5 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
111 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
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 19, 2026
Origin
Prairie City, IA
Morning
in Prairie City on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:13AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:10AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Morning
in Cedar Rapids on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Belle Plaine, IA
56 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
15 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
2h 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 is largely a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your travel on major roadways like I 80 and Avenue of the Saints. You'll encounter one long stretch of uninterrupted highway travel for 79.4 miles on I 80, offering a consistent pace. The route primarily utilizes interstates and well-maintained state highways, so expect smooth sailing for most of the 112.7 miles. While not particularly winding or technical, the transition between I 80 and Avenue of the Saints provides a slight shift in scenery and road type.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 79.4 miles.
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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 88.1 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 112.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 88.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111 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 Prairie City, 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: 112.7 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 (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Prairie City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 117. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from Prairie City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 88.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Prairie City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
