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

The driving distance from Rockwell City, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 155.3 miles (250 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
174.36 mi
02h 43m
Flight
155.34 mi
249.99 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rockwell City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
155.34 mi
Kilometers
249.99 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.36 mi
Kilometers
280.6 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Sat, Apr 18, 2:09 AM CDT
Return by in Rockwell City
Sat, Apr 18, 4:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rockwell City
2026-04-17T23:25
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Sat, Apr 18, 2:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rockwell 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
Steamboat Rock
IA

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

From Rockwell City
87.1 mi
01h 21m
To Cedar Rapids
87.3 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    58 m · 10 sec · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    914 ft · 45 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Ogden Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right

    126.6 mi · 2 hr 26 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    42.3 mi · 46 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    37 m · 5 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

    56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  11. 11

    Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

    54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  12. 12

    Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockwell 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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
42.6 mi · 24%
Ogden Avenue
2.48 mi · 1%
32nd Street Northeast
1.27 mi · 1%
1st Street
1.21 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.17 mi
Tiperary Drive Northeast
0.08 mi
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 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
155.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Steamboat Rock
01h 21m from Rockwell City
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rockwell City and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cedar Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 174.4 miles (280.6 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Steamboat Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Rockwell City and 87.3 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 155.3 miles (250 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.19 one way or $46.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rockwell City and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cedar Rapids.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rockwell City and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 155.34 mi (249.99 km).

Rockwell City

#1 Rockwell City

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

Population2,082
Coordinates42.3952600, -94.6338700
Altitude375
CountryUnited States
Cedar Rapids

#2 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street (-94.633467, 42.395262)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 281 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.15 gal
23.29 L · about $23.19
Round trip
$46.38
12.3 gal · 46.58 L
Estimated CO2
54.7 kg one way
Round trip: 109.3 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.19 $46.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.16 $52.31
Premium $4.65 $28.62 $57.24
Diesel $5.30 $32.62 $65.24

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Rockwell City and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 23:25:54.

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.