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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Alton, IA is about 277.2 miles (446.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 232.5 miles (374.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 00m 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
277.21 mi
05h 30m
Flight
232.47 mi
374.12 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
232.47 mi
Kilometers
374.12 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
277.21 mi
Kilometers
446.13 km
Drive Time
05h 30m

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 05h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alton
Mon, Apr 13, 2:20 PM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Mon, Apr 13, 7:50 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-13T08:49
Arrive Alton
Mon, Apr 13, 2:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:30 AM to 1:30 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
6:00 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
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Cedar Rapids
138.3 mi
02h 45m
To Alton
138.9 mi
02h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Continue on 160th Street

    6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 140

    15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road L14

    7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14

  15. 15

    Continue on Kiwi Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 460th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 10

    1388 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 10

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East Division Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Division Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

    1794 ft · 41 sec · 3rd Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West 10th Street

    48 m · 9 sec · West 10th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right

    34 m · 8 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
209 mi · 75%
Highway 20
19 mi · 7%
State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 5%
County Road L14
7.02 mi · 3%
160th Street
6.44 mi · 2%
Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

160 mi · 03h 05m

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
05h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.7 mi
232.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
02h 45m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
6:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Rapids and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Alton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 277.2 miles (446.1 km) and usually takes 05h 30m 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?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.3 miles from Cedar Rapids and 138.9 miles from Alton.

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

The direct path is about 232.5 miles (374.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.7 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 6:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.88 one way or $73.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Rapids and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Alton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Alton. Straight-line distance: 232.47 mi (374.12 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Alton

Human settlement in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,249
Coordinates42.9874900, -96.0105700
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Alton (-96.01057, 42.98749)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 446 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.78 gal
37.03 L · about $36.88
Round trip
$73.76
19.56 gal · 74.06 L
Estimated CO2
86.9 kg one way
Round trip: 173.8 kg / 383 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.88 $73.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.59 $83.19
Premium $4.65 $45.52 $91.03
Diesel $5.30 $51.87 $103.75

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Alton. The current time is 08:49:49.

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.