Shenandoah, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 266 miles and takes about 5 hours 21 minutes via South Blossom Street, West Sheridan Avenue, and Fremont Street, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest from one side to the other on mostly surface roads. Expect a straightforward drive that offers a good look at the state's landscape without the complexity of interstate travel. It's a manageable one-day excursion, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133 miles from Shenandoah, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
101 mi
1h 50m
Fremont Street
38.8 mi
54m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
US 59
13.8 mi
20m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 101 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,498 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,234
Quietest
2 AM
~283 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 81 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shenandoah, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on West Clarinda Avenue
108 ft·7 sec·West Clarinda Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Blossom Street
99 ft·9 sec·South Blossom Street
3
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·West Sheridan Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 59
39 mi·54 min·Fremont Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 59
6.4 mi·9 min·US 59
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
7.5 mi·11 min·US 59
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 80
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
13
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
18
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
22
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
25
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
26
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
27
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
28
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
29
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given this is a 5-hour, 21-minute drive, leaving Shenandoah, IA in the morning allows ample time to reach Cedar Rapids, IA before evening. With no designated highway segments, pace yourself by planning for stops in towns along the way for fuel and a break. Since the entire 266 miles are on surface roads, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as stations might be less frequent than on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $44, so budget accordingly. Consider making a stop around the halfway point to break up the 266 miles and enjoy a more relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133 miles from Shenandoah, IA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101 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 59 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
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 Shenandoah, 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 Shenandoah, IA
This is one driving day of about 266.1 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Shenandoah, 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 I 80 for about 101 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 263.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 59 / Fremont Street
Turn right onto US 59 / Fremont Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
8
154.6 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
7
263.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
263.6 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
$44.39 one way
$88.78 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.24
$96.49
premium
$5.26
$55.10
$110.19
diesel
$6.18
$64.73
$129.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.94
$12.77
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.25
$17.03
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Shenandoah, IA
Evening
in Shenandoah on Friday
Local time
6:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 16 to 26 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Evening
in Cedar Rapids on Friday
Local time
6:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
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
10 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
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 266-mile drive has a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire trip. You'll start on South Blossom Street and West Sheridan Avenue, transitioning onto Fremont Street as you head east. Since there's no highway driving, anticipate navigating through towns and rural areas, which often involves more varied speed limits and potential for local traffic. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is not specified, but be prepared for a consistent surface road experience.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near US 59 / Fremont Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 266.1 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 0.7 miles (US 59 / Fremont Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,294 ft808 ft
Total Climb
660 ft
Total Descent
832 ft
Highest Point
1,294 ft
~92.5 mi in
Elevation Range
486 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shenandoah, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
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.
Top landmarks
•Mother Mosque of America — historic mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
•Douglas and Charlotte Grant House — historic house in Iowa, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 266.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 59 / Fremont Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cedar Rapids, IA before the return drive.
