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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Estherville, IA is about 236.6 miles (380.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m 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
236.63 mi
04h 56m
Flight
188.34 mi
303.1 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
188.34 mi
Kilometers
303.1 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
236.63 mi
Kilometers
380.82 km
Drive Time
04h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Estherville
Sun, Apr 19, 7:41 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 12:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-19T02:44
Arrive Estherville
Sun, Apr 19, 7:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 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
7:08 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
Rudd
IA

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

From Cedar Rapids
118.2 mi
02h 28m
To Estherville
118.5 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Continue on West Washington Expressway

    1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    92.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Avenue of the Saints

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    2004 ft · 56 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto State Highway 9

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 9

  16. 16

    Continue on North Street

    2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street

  17. 17

    Continue on 360th Street

    2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Evergreen Avenue

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 9

    5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 230th Avenue

    5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 400th Street

    5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto State Highway 9

    16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9

  24. 24

    Continue on 1st Avenue East

    2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East

  25. 25

    Continue on State Highway 9

    6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9

    117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9

  27. 27

    Continue on US Highway 169

    6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169

  28. 28

    Continue on State Highway 9

    4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9

  29. 29

    Continue on 4th Avenue West

    1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West

  30. 30

    Continue on 430th Street

    6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street

  31. 31

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue

  32. 32

    Continue on State Highway 9

    15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9

  33. 33

    Continue on East Central Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue

  34. 34

    Turn left onto South 9th Street

    45 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
35 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
142 mi · 60%
State Highway 9
48.8 mi · 21%
US Highway 169
6.44 mi · 3%
430th Street
6.15 mi · 3%
400th Street
5.71 mi · 2%
I-380 north
5.63 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

92.9 mi · 01h 46m

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 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.3 mi
188.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rudd
02h 28m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
7:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cedar Rapids and Sunny near Estherville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 236.6 miles (380.8 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?

Rudd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.2 miles from Cedar Rapids and 118.5 miles from Estherville.

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

The direct path is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.3 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 7:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.49 one way or $62.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cedar Rapids and Sunny near Estherville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Estherville. Straight-line distance: 188.34 mi (303.1 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Estherville

City in Iowa

Population5,587
Coordinates43.4016300, -94.8327600
Altitude395
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Estherville (-94.83276, 43.40163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 381 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.35 gal
31.61 L · about $31.49
Round trip
$62.98
16.7 gal · 63.22 L
Estimated CO2
74.2 kg one way
Round trip: 148.4 kg / 327 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.49 $62.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.51 $71.03
Premium $4.65 $38.86 $77.72
Diesel $5.30 $44.29 $88.58

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Estherville. The current time is 02:44:53.

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.