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Trip from Stuart, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 9m

Distance

160.6 mi

258 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 57m ★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

Stuart, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 160.6-mile drive from Stuart, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on I-80, with sections of Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road contributing to the journey. With a highway share of 35%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $25. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are located within the Midwest region of the United States.

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

80.3 miles from Stuart, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 48 mi 53m
Lincoln Highway 37 mi 42m
Northeast Hubbell Road 33.5 mi 39m
73rd Street 26.8 mi 30m
IA 100 8.3 mi 9m
32nd Street Northeast 1.3 mi 2m
Northeast Hubbell Avenue 1.2 mi 1m
South Division Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 48 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stuart, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.

1

Start on CR P28

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Division Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
3

Merge onto I 80; US 6

29 mi · 31 min · I 80; US 6
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80
Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 80
Use the slight left lane.
6

Take the exit onto US 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 65
Exit 142 Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn left onto US 65; IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
8

Continue on US 65; IA 330

33 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
9

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
10

Merge onto US 30

37 mi · 42 min · Lincoln Highway
11

Continue on US 30

27 mi · 30 min · 73rd Street
12

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
13

Continue on IA 100

8.3 mi · 9 min · IA 100
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
17

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

0.5 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the Saints
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
19

Keep slight left at fork

121 ft · 4 sec
20

Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
21

Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

184 ft · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
22

Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

177 ft · 7 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
23

Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

428 ft · 18 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
24

Arrive at destination

Tiperary Drive Northeast

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 9-minute journey, you can comfortably leave anytime and still reach Cedar Rapids without needing an overnight stop. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 48 miles on I-80, you can easily plan your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition from I-80 to local roads like Northeast Hubbell Road; these shifts can sometimes involve unexpected traffic or changes in speed limits, so staying alert during these segments will ensure a smoother arrival.

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 80.3 miles from Stuart, IA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48 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 35 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 32m

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 Stuart, 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 Stuart, IA

This is one driving day of about 160.6 miles and 3h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Stuart, 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 48 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshalltown, IA

80 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Marshalltown, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA

74.1 mi · 1h 30m

Pacing Suggestions

Clive, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Stuart, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.5 mi

Red Lobster

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.5 mi

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193936000

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193950450

Visit website

Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.4

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+15152706818

Visit website

Persis Biryani Indian Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198262000

Visit website

Rio Burritos

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+13199815001

Visit website

Napoli's Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 160.6

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193772100

Visit website

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13195504517

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 34.4

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 160.6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 137.6

Newhall, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 34.4

Urbandale, Iowa

Red E Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Stuart, Iowa

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 91.8

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 30.2 and 158.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
30.2 mi into trip | ~33m 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...
6
44.6 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
8
49.1 mi into trip | ~55m 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
158 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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
158.1 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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

$25.11 one way

$50.22 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.57 $55.14
premium $4.89 $30.91 $61.81
diesel $5.61 $35.46 $70.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.2 0 $16.86 $7.71
Efficient EV 40.2 0 $14.05 $6.42
EV Truck/SUV 64.2 0 $22.48 $10.28

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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

Stuart, IA

Late night in Stuart on Sunday

Local time

2:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Rapids, IA

Late night in Cedar Rapids on Sunday

Local time

2:41 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

24 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

3h 9m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this 160.6-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 35% of the route being highway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 48 miles on I-80, offering a chance for consistent speed. However, the inclusion of Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road means you'll also encounter more local road driving, which can vary in pace and traffic. This blend means the drive won't feel like a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a varied experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel as you transition between faster highway sections and more local routes.

35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48 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 30.2 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 160.6 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 30.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Stuart, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.

Minneapolis

30.2 mi in | ~33m | via I 80

Kansas City

30.2 mi in | ~33m | via I 80

Bondurant

49.1 mi in | ~55m | via US 65

Marion

148.5 mi in | ~2h 52m

About the Cities

Arriving in Cedar Rapids, IA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 48 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 30.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.1 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Rapids, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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