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

The driving distance from Elkader, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 73.3 miles (117.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.7 miles (96 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 51m 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
73.23 mi
01h 25m
Flight
59.68 mi
96.04 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elkader.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.68 mi
Kilometers
96.04 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.23 mi
Kilometers
117.86 km
Drive Time
01h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Thu, May 14, 12:01 AM CDT
Return by in Elkader
Thu, May 14, 1:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elkader
2026-05-13T22:35
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Thu, May 14, 12:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elkader
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
Ryan
IA

City in Delaware County, Iowa, USA

From Elkader
35.6 mi
00h 42m
To Cedar Rapids
37.6 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    1177 ft · 20 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Strawberry Point Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Strawberry Point Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto State Highway 13

    8.6 mi · 12 min · State Highway 13

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Crystal Road

    8.3 mi · 13 min · Crystal Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 398th Street

    1683 ft · 1 min · 398th Street

  6. 6

    Turn sharp right onto State Highway 3

    2924 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 3

  7. 7

    Turn left onto State Highway 13

    9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 13

  8. 8

    Continue on North Franklin Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Franklin Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto State Highway 13

    14.8 mi · 20 min · State Highway 13

  11. 11

    Continue on Marion Road

    19.5 mi · 25 min · Marion Road

  12. 12

    Turn right

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Post Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Post Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 30th Street Drive Southeast

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 30th Street Drive Southeast

  15. 15

    Continue on 29th Street Drive Southeast

    2738 ft · 57 sec · 29th Street Drive Southeast

  16. 16

    Continue on 29th Street Northeast

    1925 ft · 40 sec · 29th Street Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Lindale Avenue Northeast

    653 ft · 34 sec · Lindale Avenue Northeast

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Tiffany Drive Northeast

    593 ft · 26 sec · Tiffany Drive Northeast

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 13
33.3 mi · 45%
Marion Road
19.5 mi · 27%
Crystal Road
8.25 mi · 11%
30th Street Drive Southeast
1.5 mi · 2%
North Franklin Street
1.42 mi · 2%
West Main Street
1.1 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Marion Road

Continue on Marion Road

19.5 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
01h 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
59.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ryan
00h 42m from Elkader
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Elkader and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 73.3 miles (117.9 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?

Ryan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.6 miles from Elkader and 37.6 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 59.7 miles (96 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.73 one way or $19.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elkader and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.

Stop Ideas Near Ryan

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

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

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

119 mi away
304 West River Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elkader and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 59.68 mi (96.04 km).

Elkader

#1 Elkader

Town

Population1,201
Coordinates42.8538700, -91.4054200
Altitude223
CountryUnited States
Cedar Rapids

#2 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Start: West Bridge Street (-91.405476, 42.853925)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 118 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.58 gal
9.78 L · about $9.73
Round trip
$19.46
5.16 gal · 19.56 L
Estimated CO2
22.9 kg one way
Round trip: 45.9 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.73 $19.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.97 $21.95
Premium $4.65 $12.01 $24.01
Diesel $5.30 $13.68 $27.37

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 · May 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Elkader and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 22:35:51.

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.