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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Ottumwa, IA is about 108.2 miles (174.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79 miles (127.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m 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
108.15 mi
02h 21m
Flight
78.98 mi
127.11 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
78.98 mi
Kilometers
127.11 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
108.15 mi
Kilometers
174.05 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 02h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ottumwa
Thu, Apr 16, 7:27 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 16, 9:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-16T05:06
Arrive Ottumwa
Thu, Apr 16, 7:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:48 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
Parnell
IA

City in Iowa County, Iowa, United States of America

From Cedar Rapids
54.1 mi
01h 10m
To Ottumwa
54.1 mi
01h 10m

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
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    17 m · 3 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Tiffany Drive Northeast

    537 ft · 25 sec · Tiffany Drive Northeast

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast

    653 ft · 31 sec · Lindale Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 29th Street Northeast

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 29th Street Northeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Coldstream Avenue Northeast

    628 ft · 22 sec · Coldstream Avenue Northeast

  6. 6

    Turn left

    1278 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    21.5 mi · 25 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    21.3 mi · 23 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Merango, North English

    1594 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    11.9 mi · 17 min · M Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 149

    5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 149

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2600 ft · 44 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 149

    11.1 mi · 15 min · State Highway 149

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 92

    2596 ft · 40 sec · State Highway 92

  17. 17

    Continue on East Jackson Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Jackson Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 149

    10.3 mi · 14 min · State Highway 149

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 149

    1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 149

  21. 21

    Continue on Main Street

    978 ft · 17 sec · Main Street

  22. 22

    Continue on State Highway 149

    2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 149

  23. 23

    Continue on East 6th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East 6th Street

  24. 24

    Continue on State Highway 149

    4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 149

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 149

    6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 149

  26. 26

    Continue on Old US Highway 63

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 63

  27. 27

    Continue on South Wapello Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · South Wapello Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto West Fourth Street

    1163 ft · 27 sec · West Fourth Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Fourth Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 149
41.3 mi · 38%
I 80 West
21.9 mi · 20%
Avenue of the Saints
21.5 mi · 20%
M Avenue
11.9 mi · 11%
Old US Highway 63
2.6 mi · 2%
South Wapello Street
2.17 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

21.5 mi · 00h 25m

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
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.2 mi
79 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Parnell
01h 10m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Cedar Rapids and Sunny near Ottumwa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 108.2 miles (174.1 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Parnell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.1 miles from Cedar Rapids and 54.1 miles from Ottumwa.

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

The direct path is about 79 miles (127.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.41 one way or $28.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Parnell

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

71 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

78 mi away
418 North Adams Street
RAIL

Burlington

115 mi away
300 South Main Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

119 mi away
304 West River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa. Straight-line distance: 78.98 mi (127.11 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Ottumwa

City in Iowa

Population24,375
Coordinates41.0200100, -92.4113000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Ottumwa (-92.4113, 41.02001)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 174 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.82 gal
14.45 L · about $14.41
Round trip
$28.81
7.64 gal · 28.9 L
Estimated CO2
33.9 kg one way
Round trip: 67.9 kg / 150 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.41 $28.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.25 $32.49
Premium $4.65 $17.78 $35.56
Diesel $5.30 $20.26 $40.52

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 Ottumwa. The current time is 05:06:36.

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.