How far is Iowa City, IA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 31 miles (49.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
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1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
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3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
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5
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi · 25 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Glass Road, 32nd Street, Coldstream, 29th Street
1470 ft · 36 sec
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10
Keep slight right
97 m · 8 sec
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11
Turn straight onto 29th Street Northeast
1360 ft · 36 sec · 29th Street Northeast
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12
Turn left onto Oakland Road Northeast
1324 ft · 29 sec · Oakland Road Northeast
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13
Turn right onto 32nd Street Northeast
1.3 km · 1 min · 32nd Street Northeast
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14
Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast
56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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15
Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast
54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast
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16
Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast
130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
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.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
21.6 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Iowa City 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 Iowa City to Cedar Rapids?
The road trip is about 31 miles (49.9 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shueyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Iowa City and 15.5 miles from Cedar Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.11 one way or $8.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Cedar Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Shueyville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Shueyville.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 24.69 mi (39.74 km).
#1 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cedar Rapids
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 134,027 |
| Coordinates | 42.0083300, -91.6440700 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.64 | $9.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.07 | $10.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.