How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Alta, IA?

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Alta, IA is about 218.3 miles (351.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 191.8 miles (308.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
218.32 mi
04h 15m
Flight
191.8 mi
308.67 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Rapids.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
191.8 mi
Kilometers
308.67 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
218.32 mi
Kilometers
351.36 km
Drive Time
04h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alta
Wed, Apr 15, 11:06 PM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 16, 3:21 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-15T18:51
Arrive Alta
Wed, Apr 15, 11:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Rapids
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Buckeye
IA

Township in Hardin County, Iowa

From Cedar Rapids
108.9 mi
02h 07m
To Alta
109.4 mi
02h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
71°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Rapids and Alta.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids and Alta.

  1. 1

    Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    604 ft · 32 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

    56 m · 13 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1233 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    48.3 mi · 53 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    152.2 mi · 2 hr 56 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Gard Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Gard Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on 90th Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · 90th Avenue

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 630th Street

    2647 ft · 43 sec · 630th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 85th Avenue

    951 ft · 17 sec · 85th Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 110

    2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 110

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 110

    1595 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 110

  13. 13

    Continue on 90th Avenue

    1549 ft · 34 sec · 90th Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 7

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 60th Avenue

    613 ft · 27 sec · 60th Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 60th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Rapids and Alta.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
200 mi · 92%
Gard Avenue
5.92 mi · 3%
Highway 7
3.32 mi · 2%
90th Avenue
3.29 mi · 2%
State Highway 110
2.98 mi · 1%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

152 mi · 02h 56m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 15m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.5 mi
191.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buckeye
02h 07m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
8:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cedar Rapids and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Rapids to Alta?

The road trip is about 218.3 miles (351.4 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?

Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.9 miles from Cedar Rapids and 109.4 miles from Alta.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 191.8 miles (308.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 8:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.04 one way or $58.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cedar Rapids and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alta.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Alta. Straight-line distance: 191.8 mi (308.67 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Alta

#2 Alta

City in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States

Population1,916
Coordinates42.6735900, -95.2905500
Altitude454
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Alta (-95.29055, 42.67359)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 351 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.7 gal
29.16 L · about $29.04
Round trip
$58.07
15.4 gal · 58.32 L
Estimated CO2
68.4 kg one way
Round trip: 136.9 kg / 302 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.04 $58.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.75 $65.50
Premium $4.65 $35.84 $71.67
Diesel $5.30 $40.84 $81.68

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Alta. The current time is 18:51:26.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.