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

The driving distance from Estherville, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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
243.43 mi
03h 58m
Flight
188.34 mi
303.1 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Estherville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
188.34 mi
Kilometers
303.1 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
243.43 mi
Kilometers
391.76 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 5:02 AM CDT
Return by in Estherville
Sun, Apr 19, 9:01 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Estherville
2026-04-19T01:04
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 5:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 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
9:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Estherville
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
Rudd
IA

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

From Estherville
118.6 mi
01h 59m
To Cedar Rapids
124.8 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 9th Street

    45 m · 8 sec · South 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Central Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 9

    15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9

  4. 4

    Continue on 4th Avenue

    3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on 430th Street

    6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 4th Avenue West

    1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 9

    4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9

  8. 8

    Continue on US Highway 169

    6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 9

    6.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9

  10. 10

    Continue on 1st Avenue West

    2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue West

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 9

    16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 170th Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 400th Street

    5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 225th Avenue

    75 m · 4 sec · 225th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 230th Avenue

    5.1 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto State Highway 9

    5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9

  17. 17

    Continue on 350th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 350th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Evergreen Avenue

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Evergreen Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on 360th Street

    2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on North Street

    2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 9

    1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 9

  22. 22

    Take the ramp right

    1988 ft · 49 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    12.2 mi · 13 min · Avenue of the Saints

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    2212 ft · 27 sec

  25. 25

    Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo

    97 m · 8 sec

  27. 27

    Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo

    1625 ft · 40 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  29. 29

    Continue on Washington Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street

  30. 30

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  31. 31

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    42.3 mi · 46 min · Avenue of the Saints

  32. 32

    Take the exit slight right

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  33. 33

    Keep slight left

    37 m · 5 sec

  34. 34

    Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

  35. 35

    Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

    56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  36. 36

    Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

    54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  37. 37

    Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  38. 38

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Car Route Details

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

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
38 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 18 East
81.7 mi · 34%
Avenue of the Saints
54.8 mi · 23%
State Highway 9
48.9 mi · 20%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.66 mi · 3%
I-380 south
6.54 mi · 3%
US Highway 169
6.44 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 18 East

Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

81.3 mi · 01h 34m

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 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.2 mi
188.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rudd
01h 59m from Estherville
Leave By
9:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Estherville 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 Estherville to Cedar Rapids?

The road trip is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?

Rudd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.6 miles from Estherville and 124.8 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.39 one way or $64.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Estherville and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 188.34 mi (303.1 km).

Estherville

#1 Estherville

City in Iowa

Population5,587
Coordinates43.4016300, -94.8327600
Altitude395
CountryUnited States
Cedar Rapids

#2 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Start: South 9th Street (-94.832757, 43.40163)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 392 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.59 gal
32.52 L · about $32.39
Round trip
$64.79
17.18 gal · 65.04 L
Estimated CO2
76.3 kg one way
Round trip: 152.7 kg / 337 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.39 $64.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.53 $73.07
Premium $4.65 $39.98 $79.96
Diesel $5.30 $45.56 $91.12

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 Estherville and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 01:04:21.

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.