Cities Near Cedar Rapids
Cities near Cedar Rapids, Iowa: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Cedar Rapids, Iowa is Iowa City, about 25 mi (40 km) away — roughly 48 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | 25 mi / 40 km | 48 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Waterloo | 49 mi / 79 km | 1 hr 28 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Dubuque | 61 mi / 97 km | 1 hr 49 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Davenport | 64 mi / 104 km | 1 hr 55 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ames | 101 mi / 163 km | 2 hr 21 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ankeny | 103 mi / 165 km | 2 hr 23 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Des Moines | 105 mi / 169 km | 2 hr 27 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| La Crosse | 126 mi / 202 km | 2 hr 55 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Rockford | 132 mi / 212 km | 3 hr 4 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Madison | 136 mi / 219 km | 3 hr 9 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Cedar Rapids
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Cedar Rapids
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Ames, Ankeny, Des Moines, La Crosse, Rockford. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Cedar Rapids include Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Ames. The closest is Iowa City, about 25 miles (40 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.