How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Lake City, IA?

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Lake City, IA is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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
188.76 mi
03h 42m
Flight
159.31 mi
256.38 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
159.31 mi
Kilometers
256.38 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.76 mi
Kilometers
303.78 km
Drive Time
03h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake City
Sun, Apr 19, 2:21 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 6:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-18T22:39
Arrive Lake City
Sun, Apr 19, 2:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:36 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
Owasa
IA

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

From Cedar Rapids
94.2 mi
01h 51m
To Lake City
94.6 mi
01h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids and Lake City.

  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 left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    120.9 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 1st Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 360th Street

    3 mi · 4 min · 360th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Center Street

    14 m · 2 sec · North Center Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Center Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
169 mi · 90%
Norridge Avenue
9.07 mi · 5%
360th Street
3 mi · 2%
Ogden Avenue
2.53 mi · 1%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 1%
East Main Street
1.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

121 mi · 02h 20m

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
03h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.5 mi
159.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
01h 51m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
9:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Rapids and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Rapids to Lake City?

The road trip is about 188.8 miles (303.8 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.2 miles from Cedar Rapids and 94.6 miles from Lake City.

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

The direct path is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 9:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.11 one way or $50.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Rapids and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 159.31 mi (256.38 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Lake City

#2 Lake City

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,642
Coordinates42.2674800, -94.7338700
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Lake City (-94.73387, 42.26748)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.66 gal
25.21 L · about $25.11
Round trip
$50.23
13.32 gal · 50.42 L
Estimated CO2
59.2 kg one way
Round trip: 118.4 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.11 $50.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.32 $56.65
Premium $4.65 $31.00 $61.99
Diesel $5.30 $35.32 $70.65

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 Lake City. The current time is 22:39:29.

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.