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

The driving distance from Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockwell City, IA is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 155.3 miles (250 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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
174.72 mi
03h 22m
Flight
155.34 mi
249.99 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
155.34 mi
Kilometers
249.99 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.72 mi
Kilometers
281.19 km
Drive Time
03h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 4:13 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Rapids
Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Rapids
2026-04-18T00:51
Arrive Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 4:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 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
10:16 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
Steamboat Rock
IA

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

From Cedar Rapids
87.2 mi
01h 41m
To Rockwell City
87.6 mi
01h 41m

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
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Rapids and Rockwell 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

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Main Street

    914 ft · 45 sec · Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 4th Street

    58 m · 8 sec · 4th Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Rapids and Rockwell 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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
169 mi · 97%
Ogden Avenue
2.53 mi · 1%
32nd Street Northeast
1.41 mi · 1%
North 1st Street
1.21 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.17 mi
Tiperary Drive Northeast
0.11 mi
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 22m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
155.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Steamboat Rock
01h 41m from Cedar Rapids
Leave By
10:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?

Steamboat Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Cedar Rapids and 87.6 miles from Rockwell City.

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

The direct path is about 155.3 miles (250 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 10:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.27 one way or $46.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 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 Rockwell City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Rapids and Rockwell City. Straight-line distance: 155.34 mi (249.99 km).

Cedar Rapids

#1 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

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

#2 Rockwell City

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population2,082
Coordinates42.3952600, -94.6338700
Altitude375
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Rapids (-91.64407, 42.00833)
End: Rockwell City (-94.63387, 42.39526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 281 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.17 gal
23.34 L · about $23.27
Round trip
$46.53
12.34 gal · 46.68 L
Estimated CO2
54.8 kg one way
Round trip: 109.7 kg / 242 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.27 $46.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.24 $52.48
Premium $4.65 $28.72 $57.43
Diesel $5.30 $32.73 $65.45

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Rapids and Rockwell City. The current time is 00:51:00.

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.