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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Oelwein, IA is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48 miles (77.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m 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
52.58 mi
01h 10m
Flight
47.96 mi
77.19 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
47.96 mi
Kilometers
77.19 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.58 mi
Kilometers
84.62 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oelwein
Wed, Apr 15, 11:07 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Wed, Apr 15, 12:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-15T09:56
Arrive Oelwein
Wed, Apr 15, 11:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:08 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rowley
IA

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

From Cedar Rapids
26.3 mi
00h 35m
To Oelwein
26.3 mi
00h 35m

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
58°F
Overnight

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 · 18 sec · 1st Street East

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

    1.5 km · 1 min · 5th Avenue Northeast

  12. 12

    Continue on Jamestown Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Jamestown Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Jackson Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Main Street South

    1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street South

  15. 15

    Continue on Jackson Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Jackson Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Palace Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Palace Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Rock Island Road

    2699 ft · 50 sec · Rock Island Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast

    820 ft · 25 sec · 10th Street Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Frederick Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · South Frederick Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Frederick Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
20.4 mi · 39%
Jamestown Avenue
14.7 mi · 28%
Jackson Avenue
6.54 mi · 12%
31st Avenue
3.59 mi · 7%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 3%
3rd Avenue Southeast
1.39 mi · 3%
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
01h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
48 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rowley
00h 35m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
4:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Cedar Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Oelwein.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Rowley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.3 miles from Cedar Rapids and 26.3 miles from Oelwein.

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

The direct path is about 48 miles (77.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.98 one way or $13.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers near Oelwein.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Oelwein. Straight-line distance: 47.96 mi (77.19 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Oelwein

City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America

Population5,789
Coordinates42.6733200, -91.9135000
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Oelwein (-91.9135, 42.67332)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.85 gal
7.02 L · about $6.98
Round trip
$13.95
3.7 gal · 14.04 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.9 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.98 $13.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.87 $15.74
Premium $4.65 $8.61 $17.22
Diesel $5.30 $9.81 $19.62

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 Oelwein. The current time is 09:56:35.

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.