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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Independence, IA is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.2 miles (55 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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
37.8 mi
00h 48m
Flight
34.19 mi
55.02 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
34.19 mi
Kilometers
55.02 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.8 mi
Kilometers
60.83 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 00h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Independence
Thu, Apr 16, 9:29 PM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 16, 10:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-16T20:40
Arrive Independence
Thu, Apr 16, 9:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:54 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
Urbana
IA

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

From Cedar Rapids
18.9 mi
00h 24m
To Independence
18.9 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    20.4 mi · 22 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton

    2017 ft · 50 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 31st Avenue

    3.6 mi · 5 min · 31st Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    10.4 mi · 14 min · Jamestown Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 1st Street East

    647 ft · 15 sec · 1st Street East

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southeast

    13 m · 2 sec · 5th Avenue Southeast

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 5th Avenue Southeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
20.4 mi · 54%
Jamestown Avenue
10.4 mi · 27%
31st Avenue
3.59 mi · 10%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 4%
3rd Avenue Southeast
1.39 mi · 4%
IA 150
0.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

20.4 mi · 00h 22m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.6 mi
34.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Urbana
00h 24m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
4:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Cedar Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Independence.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 37.8 miles (60.8 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Urbana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.9 miles from Cedar Rapids and 18.9 miles from Independence.

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

The direct path is about 34.2 miles (55 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 4:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.02 one way or $10.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Cedar Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Independence.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Independence. Straight-line distance: 34.19 mi (55.02 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Independence

City in Iowa

Population6,203
Coordinates42.4686000, -91.8893400
Altitude285
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Independence (-91.88934, 42.4686)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.33 gal
5.05 L · about $5.02
Round trip
$10.03
2.66 gal · 10.1 L
Estimated CO2
11.8 kg one way
Round trip: 23.6 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.02 $10.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.66 $11.31
Premium $4.65 $6.19 $12.38
Diesel $5.30 $7.05 $14.11

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Independence. The current time is 20:40:59.

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.