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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Jefferson, IA is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.3 miles (225.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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
148.36 mi
03h 00m
Flight
140.32 mi
225.82 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
140.32 mi
Kilometers
225.82 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.36 mi
Kilometers
238.77 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

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 03h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jefferson
Thu, Apr 16, 1:13 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 16, 4:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-15T22:13
Arrive Jefferson
Thu, Apr 16, 1:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 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
Haverhill
IA

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

From Cedar Rapids
74 mi
01h 30m
To Jefferson
74.4 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
53°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2842 ft · 41 sec · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100

    1797 ft · 38 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I-380 north, IA 27 north, IA 100 west: Waterloo

    764 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto I-380 south, IA 27 south, IA 100 west: Iowa City

    1801 ft · 46 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Collins Road Northeast

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Collins Road Northeast

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    78.3 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Lincoln Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on 220th Street

    30.1 mi · 39 min · 220th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Elm Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Elm Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Lincolnway Street

    7 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Lincolnway Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
78.3 mi · 53%
220th Street
30.1 mi · 20%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 16%
Collins Road Northeast
8.16 mi · 6%
16th Avenue Southwest
2.37 mi · 2%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

78.3 mi · 01h 31m

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
03h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
140.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Haverhill
01h 30m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cedar Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Jefferson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?

Haverhill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from Cedar Rapids and 74.4 miles from Jefferson.

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

The direct path is about 140.3 miles (225.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.76 one way or $39.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Cedar Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Jefferson.

Stop Ideas Near Haverhill

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Haverhill, 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 Haverhill.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

112 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 140.32 mi (225.82 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Jefferson

City in Greene County, Iowa

Population4,075
Coordinates42.0152600, -94.3774700
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Jefferson (-94.37747, 42.01526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 239 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.24 gal
19.82 L · about $19.76
Round trip
$39.52
10.48 gal · 39.64 L
Estimated CO2
46.6 kg one way
Round trip: 93.1 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.76 $39.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.29 $44.57
Premium $4.65 $24.39 $48.77
Diesel $5.30 $27.79 $55.59

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Jefferson. The current time is 22:13:06.

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.