How far is Van Meter, IA from Cedar Rapids, IA?

The driving distance from Van Meter, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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
140.91 mi
02h 20m
Flight
123.5 mi
198.76 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Van Meter.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.5 mi
Kilometers
198.76 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
140.91 mi
Kilometers
226.77 km
Drive Time
02h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Rapids
Mon, May 25, 3:06 AM CDT
Return by in Van Meter
Mon, May 25, 5:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Van Meter
2026-05-25T00:46
Arrive Cedar Rapids
Mon, May 25, 3:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:20 AM to 12:20 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Van Meter
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
Marshalltown
IA

City in Marshal County, Iowa

From Van Meter
70.4 mi
01h 10m
To Cedar Rapids
70.5 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Memorial Day

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Memorial Day

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Van Meter and Cedar Rapids.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    853 ft · 30 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Mill Street

    660 ft · 13 sec · Mill Street

  3. 3

    Continue on R Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · R Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I-80 east: Des Moines

    1419 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 10 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit right

    2792 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    8.3 mi · 10 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I-380, IA 27: Iowa City, Waterloo

    1323 ft · 32 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

    687 ft · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I-380 south, IA 27 south: Iowa City

    1332 ft · 32 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    2737 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the Saints

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    37 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto 32nd Street Northeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 32nd Street Northeast

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Crystal Drive Northeast

    56 m · 10 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  24. 24

    Continue on Crystal Drive Northeast

    54 m · 8 sec · Crystal Drive Northeast

  25. 25

    Continue on Tiperary Drive Northeast

    130 m · 19 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tiperary Drive Northeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 26%
Northeast Hubbell Road
34 mi · 24%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 19%
I 35
18.9 mi · 13%
I-80 east
9.36 mi · 7%
IA 100 East
9.25 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

37 mi · 00h 43m

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 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
123.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
01h 10m from Van Meter
Leave By
1:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Van Meter and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Cedar Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Van Meter to Cedar Rapids?

The road trip is about 140.9 miles (226.8 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?

Marshalltown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.4 miles from Van Meter and 70.5 miles from Cedar Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 1:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.74 one way or $37.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Van Meter and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Cedar Rapids.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Van Meter and Cedar Rapids. Straight-line distance: 123.5 mi (198.76 km).

Van Meter

#1 Van Meter

Township in Dallas County, Iowa

Population1,342
Coordinates41.5319300, -93.9541200
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Cedar Rapids

#2 Cedar Rapids

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population134,027
Coordinates42.0083300, -91.6440700
Altitude247
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-93.954122, 41.532128)
End: Tiperary Drive Northeast (-91.643986, 42.00833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 227 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.97 gal
18.82 L · about $18.74
Round trip
$37.48
9.94 gal · 37.64 L
Estimated CO2
44.2 kg one way
Round trip: 88.3 kg / 195 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.74 $37.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.14 $42.27
Premium $4.65 $23.13 $46.26
Diesel $5.30 $26.36 $52.72

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 · May 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Van Meter and Cedar Rapids. The current time is 00:46:37.

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.