Sheffield to Cedar Rapids is 121.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 33 minutes via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with more local road sections. It’s a straightforward trip, ideal if you're looking for a simple, manageable drive without extensive planning, perfect for a single-day journey.
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
61 miles from Sheffield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
57.6 mi
1h 3m
210th Street
18 mi
24m
State Highway 3
12.5 mi
17m
US 65
10.4 mi
15m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
Washington Street
2.4 mi
3m
South Street
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheffield, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on West Gilman Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Gilman Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 65
10 mi·15 min·US 65
3
Turn left onto IA 3
1.1 mi·1 min·Central Avenue East
4
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi·11 min·State Highway 3
5
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi·2 min·210th Street
6
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi·2 min·South Street
7
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi·10 min·210th Street
8
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 3
9
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi·11 min·210th Street
10
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 3
11
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi·2 min·230th Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
13
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
15 mi·17 min·Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
15
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
16
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
17
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
19
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
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
22
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
23
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
24
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
25
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
26
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour 33-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll only have one planned stop, so consider making it around the halfway point to break up the 57.6-mile longest stretch on Avenue of the Saints. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $19, and while there are opportunities to refuel, it’s always wise to top off before leaving Sheffield. The drive is mostly within Iowa, so be aware of typical Midwestern road conditions.
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 61 miles from Sheffield, IA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 22m 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 8m
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 Sheffield, 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 Sheffield, IA
This is one driving day of about 121.9 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Sheffield, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 57.6 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 0.7 and 120.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 65
At end of road, turn right onto US 65
Navigation decision point
4
11.1 mi into trip|~16m in|IA 3 / Central Avenue East
Turn left onto IA 3 / Central Avenue East
Navigation decision point
6
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
77.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.06 one way
$38.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.92
$41.85
premium
$4.89
$23.46
$46.92
diesel
$5.61
$26.91
$53.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
EV Truck/SUV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Sheffield, IA
Afternoon
in Sheffield on Tuesday
Local time
12:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
28°F
Clear
SE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 2:15AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:02PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Afternoon
in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
12:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 2:15AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 9:02PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
59°F
Waterloo, IA
61 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
2 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 33m 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 route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 30% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 57.6-mile segment on Avenue of the Saints, providing a good pace. As you progress, the drive will shift between these more open roads and sections on 210th Street and State Highway 3, which may feel more local. It's not a monotonous interstate grind, nor is it exclusively winding country lanes; rather, it's a blend that keeps the driving engaging without being overly demanding.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 65.
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 121.9 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 0.7 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 71.4 miles (I 380): 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.
Between Sheffield, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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 33m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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 0.7 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (IA 3 / Central Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 71.4 miles (I 380): 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.
