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

The driving distance from Rock Rapids, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 312.9 miles (503.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250 miles (402.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m 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
312.95 mi
05h 09m
Flight
250.02 mi
402.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rock Rapids.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
250.02 mi
Kilometers
402.37 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
312.95 mi
Kilometers
503.64 km
Drive Time
05h 09m

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 05h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 2:40 AM CDT
Return by in Rock Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 7:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rock Rapids
2026-04-22T21:30
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 2:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:09 AM to 1:09 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rock 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
Moorland
IA

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

From Rock Rapids
155.7 mi
02h 34m
To Cedar Rapids
157.3 mi
02h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Union Street

    16.7 mi · 23 min · South Union Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Black Forest Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Black Forest Road

  4. 4

    Continue on 320th Street

    2.9 mi · 4 min · 320th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Jackson Avenue

    8 mi · 11 min · Jackson Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 400th Street

    7.5 mi · 10 min · 400th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Birch Street

    593 ft · 12 sec · Birch Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Cedar Street

    1159 ft · 23 sec · Cedar Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 6th Avenue South

    751 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue South

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Fir Street

    729 ft · 17 sec · Fir Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto County Road S

    1437 ft · 29 sec · County Road S

  12. 12

    Continue on Log Avenue

    5.8 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  15. 15

    Continue on 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  21. 21

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto State Highway 3

    4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 530th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  27. 27

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  28. 28

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  30. 30

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    164.9 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street

  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 Rock Rapids and Cedar Rapids.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
38 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
165 mi · 53%
Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi · 14%
South Union Street
16.7 mi · 5%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 3%
State Highway 3
8.58 mi · 3%
Jackson Avenue
8.01 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

165 mi · 03h 10m

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
05h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+62.9 mi
250 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Moorland
02h 34m from Rock Rapids
Leave By
6:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Rock Rapids 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 Rock Rapids to Cedar Rapids?

The road trip is about 312.9 miles (503.6 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?

Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.7 miles from Rock Rapids and 157.3 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 250 miles (402.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.9 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 6:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.63 one way or $83.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rock Rapids and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 250.02 mi (402.37 km).

Rock Rapids

#1 Rock Rapids

City in Iowa

Population2,518
Coordinates43.4271900, -96.1758600
Altitude423
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 Union Street (-96.175618, 43.427185)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 504 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.04 gal
41.8 L · about $41.63
Round trip
$83.26
22.08 gal · 83.6 L
Estimated CO2
98.1 kg one way
Round trip: 196.2 kg / 433 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.63 $83.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.95 $93.91
Premium $4.65 $51.38 $102.76
Diesel $5.30 $58.56 $117.11

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

There is no time difference between Rock Rapids and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 21:30:49.

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.