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

The driving distance from Lake City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 188.3 miles (303 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m 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
188.3 mi
02h 59m
Flight
159.31 mi
256.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.31 mi
Kilometers
256.38 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.3 mi
Kilometers
303.04 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 12:59 AM CDT
Return by in Lake City
Sun, Apr 19, 3:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake City
2026-04-18T22:00
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Sun, Apr 19, 12:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake City
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
Owasa
IA

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

From Lake City
94.1 mi
01h 29m
To Cedar Rapids
94.2 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Cedar Rapids.

  1. 1

    Start on North Center Street

    14 m · 7 sec · North Center Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 360th Street

    3 mi · 5 min · 360th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Norridge Avenue

    9 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North 1st Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North 1st Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right

    126.6 mi · 2 hr 26 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    42.3 mi · 46 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    37 m · 5 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

    56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  14. 14

    Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

    54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  15. 15

    Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City 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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi · 23%
Norridge Avenue
9.05 mi · 5%
360th Street
3 mi · 2%
Ogden Avenue
2.48 mi · 1%
East Main Street
1.38 mi · 1%
32nd Street Northeast
1.27 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

127 mi · 02h 26m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29 mi
159.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
01h 29m from Lake City
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 188.3 miles (303 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Lake City and 94.2 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.04 one way or $50.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Lake City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cedar Rapids.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 159.31 mi (256.38 km).

Lake City

#1 Lake City

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,642
Coordinates42.2674800, -94.7338700
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Cedar Rapids

#2 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Start: North Center Street (-94.73381, 42.26748)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 303 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.64 gal
25.15 L · about $25.04
Round trip
$50.08
13.28 gal · 50.3 L
Estimated CO2
59 kg one way
Round trip: 118 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.04 $50.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.24 $56.48
Premium $4.65 $30.90 $61.81
Diesel $5.30 $35.22 $70.44

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 Lake City and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 22:00:21.

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.