How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 257.8 miles (414.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.1 miles (363.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 57m 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 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Rapids and Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids and Carter Lake.
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1
Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast
604 ft · 32 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
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2
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
56 m · 13 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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3
Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.2 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast
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4
Take the ramp right
1233 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2842 ft · 41 sec · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100
1797 ft · 38 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo
764 ft · 21 sec
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8
Turn left onto I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City
1801 ft · 46 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Collins Road Northeast
8.2 mi · 9 min · Collins Road Northeast
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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13
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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18
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
2.9 mi · 3 min
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22
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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25
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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26
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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27
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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28
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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29
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Rapids and Carter Lake.
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 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 01h 43m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cedar Rapids to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 257.8 miles (414.9 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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 128.7 miles from Cedar Rapids and 129.2 miles from Carter Lake.
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 31.7 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 7:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.52 one way or $71.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
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 Cedar Rapids and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 226.14 mi (363.93 km).
#1 Cedar Rapids
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 134,027 |
| Coordinates | 42.0083300, -91.6440700 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carter Lake (-95.91807, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 415 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 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 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.06 | $80.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.84 | $87.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.96 | $99.93 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.