How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Columbus Junction, IA?

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Columbus Junction, IA is about 63.4 miles (102 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
63.39 mi
01h 18m
Flight
52.41 mi
84.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Rapids.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
52.41 mi
Kilometers
84.34 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
63.39 mi
Kilometers
102.01 km
Drive Time
01h 18m

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 01h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus Junction
Wed, Apr 15, 8:55 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Wed, Apr 15, 10:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-15T07:36
Arrive Columbus Junction
Wed, Apr 15, 8:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Rapids
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
University Heights
IA

Town in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

From Cedar Rapids
31.7 mi
00h 39m
To Columbus Junction
31.7 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids and Columbus Junction.

  1. 1

    Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    17 m · 3 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Tiffany Drive Northeast

    537 ft · 25 sec · Tiffany Drive Northeast

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast

    653 ft · 31 sec · Lindale Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 29th Street Northeast

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 29th Street Northeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Coldstream Avenue Northeast

    628 ft · 22 sec · Coldstream Avenue Northeast

  6. 6

    Turn left

    1278 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    51.9 mi · 1 hr · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1847 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 92

    8.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 92

  10. 10

    Continue on Oak Street

    2141 ft · 42 sec · Oak Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    129 m · 23 sec · 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    85 m · 6 sec · Walnut Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
52.2 mi · 82%
State Highway 92
8.84 mi · 14%
29th Street Northeast
1.18 mi · 2%
Oak Street
0.41 mi · 1%
Lindale Avenue Northeast
0.12 mi
Coldstream Avenue Northeast
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

51.9 mi · 01h 00m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11 mi
52.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
University Heights
00h 39m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
3:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Rapids and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus Junction.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Rapids to Columbus Junction?

The road trip is about 63.4 miles (102 km) and usually takes 01h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

University Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.7 miles from Cedar Rapids and 31.7 miles from Columbus Junction.

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

The direct path is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.45 one way or $16.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Rapids and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus Junction.

Stop Ideas Near University Heights

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around University Heights, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to University Heights.

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

76 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

83 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

85 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

90 mi away
1200 River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Columbus Junction. Straight-line distance: 52.41 mi (84.34 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Columbus Junction

#2 Columbus Junction

City in Louisa County, Iowa, United States

Population1,810
Coordinates41.2800300, -91.3607100
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Columbus Junction (-91.36071, 41.28003)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 102 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.24 gal
8.47 L · about $8.45
Round trip
$16.89
4.48 gal · 16.94 L
Estimated CO2
19.9 kg one way
Round trip: 39.8 kg / 88 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.45 $16.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.53 $19.05
Premium $4.65 $10.42 $20.85
Diesel $5.30 $11.88 $23.76

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 Columbus Junction. The current time is 07:36:41.

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.