How far is Carter Lake, IA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 258.4 miles (415.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.1 miles (363.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Cedar Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Cedar Rapids.
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1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 38 sec · Izard Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
1483 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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13
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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17
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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19
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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21
Continue straight
8.3 mi · 10 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo
1323 ft · 32 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
687 ft · 15 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City
1332 ft · 32 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2737 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the Saints
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26
Take the exit slight right
1398 ft · 34 sec
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27
Keep slight left
37 m · 5 sec
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28
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
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29
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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30
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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31
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake and Cedar Rapids.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Continue straight
118 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carter Lake to Cedar Rapids?
The road trip is about 258.4 miles (415.9 km) and usually takes 04h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129 miles from Carter Lake and 129.5 miles from Cedar Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.1 miles (363.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.39 one way or $68.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carter Lake and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 226.14 mi (363.93 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cedar Rapids
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 134,027 |
| Coordinates | 42.0083300, -91.6440700 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 416 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.39 | $68.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.79 | $77.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.44 | $84.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.37 | $96.74 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.