The Rialto Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Villisca, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17128269342
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
234.3 mi
377 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Villisca, IA
Tom Fisk
This 234.3-mile drive from Villisca, IA, to Cedar Rapids, IA, is a solid one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 6 and following the historic Lincoln Highway for a good portion of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it's an economical way to travel across Iowa. This route offers a mixed drive experience, making it manageable for a single day without feeling rushed. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.
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
117.1 miles from Villisca, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 62 mi | 1h 7m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.5 mi | 39m |
| US 71 | 32.6 mi | 44m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| I 80 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| IA 100 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| 650th Street | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Villisca, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
Start on East 3rd Street
At end of road, turn right onto South U Avenue
Turn left onto West High Street
Turn right onto US 71
Turn right onto US 6; US 71
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
Take the exit onto US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit onto US 65
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
Continue on US 65; IA 330
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Take the exit
Continue on IA 100
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour and 40-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or spontaneous stops. With only one suggested stop noted, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 62-mile stretch on US 6, and plan your fill-ups accordingly. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so budgeting for this is straightforward. You'll be covering 234.3 miles, so staying alert is key, particularly as you transition between highway and local road sections.
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.
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 52 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Rapids, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Villisca, 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 Villisca, IA
This is one driving day of about 234.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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.
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.1 miles from Villisca, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Villisca, Iowa
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17128269342
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Red Lobster
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Top Coffee Stop
Des Moines, Iowa
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+15156307000
coffeegirl
Atlantic, Iowa
Playgrounds Cafe
Waukee, Iowa
Near the start, right off the route
Villisca, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+17128269342
Near the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13193936000
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13193950450
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic, Iowa
Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm
+17122432183
Near the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13198262000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Melbourne, Iowa
Hours: 2 pm–2 am
+16414822034
Near the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm
+13199815001
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
West Des Moines, Iowa
Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm
+15155282212
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Des Moines, Iowa
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+15156307000
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic, Iowa
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+17122501539
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Waukee, Iowa
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+15156446331
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13192003218
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Keystone, Iowa
Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm
+13194422253
Near the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+13192002791
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Waukee, Iowa
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+15152078041
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: Closed
+13192083192
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Newhall, Iowa
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18333994638
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
+18006360986
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Waukee, Iowa
+18887584389
Around the midpoint, short detour
Waukee, Iowa
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Waukee, Iowa
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Grant, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+17127634425
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Marion, Iowa
Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm
+13194499996
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Atlantic, Iowa
Hours: 12 pm–2 am
+17122432426
Later in the drive, short detour
Tama, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm
+16414817332
Near the end, short detour
Atkins, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13194462739
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Clive, Iowa
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+15152239605
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Rhodes, Iowa
Hours: 2 pm–2 am
+16414932012
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Des Moines, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+15152550433
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.9 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$36.63 one way
$73.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.22 | $80.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.09 | $90.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.73 | $103.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.60 | $11.25 |
| Efficient EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.7 | 1 | $32.80 | $15.00 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Villisca on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Cedar Rapids on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 52% of it being on highways. You'll encounter a 62-mile stretch on US 6, which offers a good opportunity to make steady progress. The drive transitions between faster highway sections and likely more local road segments as you navigate through towns and rural areas. Expect a varied driving experience that keeps things interesting, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. This blend means you'll experience different paces and road conditions.
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 103.9 miles in near I 80.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 234.3 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 103.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Villisca, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.
Minneapolis
Kansas City
Bondurant
Marion
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 234.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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