Windsor Heights, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is 126.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest and the state of Iowa, offering a straightforward trip between two similar regions. With a short duration and mostly surface roads, it's a practical choice for a quick transfer or a visit to a new city without a long commitment. You'll spend most of your time on Lincoln Highway, with a brief transition onto other local roads.
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
63 miles from Windsor Heights, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
John MacVicar Freeway
9.3 mi
12m
IA 100
8.3 mi
9m
I 80
3.4 mi
3m
32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi
2m
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor Heights, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA.
1
Start on 66th Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·66th Street
2
Turn right onto University Avenue
0.3 mi·30 sec·University Avenue
3
Turn right onto IA 28
0.5 mi·1 min·63rd Street
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-235 eastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 235
9.3 mi·12 min·John MacVicar Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 137A-BToward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, DavenportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 137AToward I 80 East: DavenportUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 80
3.4 mi·3 min·I 80
9
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.
10
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
14
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
16
Continue on IA 100
8.3 mi·9 min·IA 100
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
20
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
0.5 mi·38 sec·Avenue of the Saints
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
121 ft·4 sec
23
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi·2 min·32nd Street Northeast
24
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
184 ft·10 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
25
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
177 ft·7 sec·Crystal Drive Northeast
26
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
428 ft·18 sec·Tiperary Drive Northeast
27
Arrive at destination
Tiperary Drive Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 34m duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip, so you can afford to leave later in the morning, perhaps around 9 or 10 AM, after a leisurely breakfast. The single stop suggested might be a good point to stretch your legs or grab a quick snack. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, there are no major financial concerns. Pay attention as you transition between Lincoln Highway and the other surface roads, as this is where navigation might require a bit more focus. The longest stretch of 37 miles on Lincoln Highway offers a good chance to settle in before reaching your destination.
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 63 miles from Windsor Heights, IA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
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 Windsor Heights, 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 Windsor Heights, IA
This is one driving day of about 126.1 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Windsor Heights, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 123.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I-235 east
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-235 east
8
10.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137A-B
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
9
10.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
8
14.6 mi into trip|~20m 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
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.71 one way
$39.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.65
$43.29
premium
$4.89
$24.27
$48.53
diesel
$5.61
$27.84
$55.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
Windsor Heights, IA
Late night
in Windsor Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Rapids, IA
Late night
in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a low highway share of 17%, meaning you'll primarily be on surface roads for most of the 126.1 miles. Your longest continuous stretch on a main road is 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. Expect to navigate through towns and local traffic, particularly as you transition from Lincoln Highway onto Northeast Hubbell Road and 73rd Street. This profile suggests a more connected-to-the-ground experience rather than high-speed cruising.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 126.1 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 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Windsor Heights, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Bondurant and Marion.
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 34m. Total distance: 126.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Rapids, IA before heading back.
