Denver to Cedar Rapids road trip: Drive time, distance & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Denver to Cedar Rapids drive are North Platte NE, Omaha NE and Des Moines IA. The distance from Denver to Cedar Rapids by car is 798 miles, with a 11h27m driving time.
Planning a Denver to Cedar Rapids road trip itinerary
A Denver to Cedar Rapids road trip connects the capital of Colorado and arguably the most interesting city in Iowa.
Top Denver experiences include Rocky Mountain National Park day tours, downtown Denver food tours and chilling guided ghost walks around the Cheeseman Park cemetery.
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa, and it’s a city with surprisingly strong Czech and Slovak feel. Wander around the Czech Village and Little Bohemia neighbourhoods to soak it in, or visit the National Czech and Slovak Museum to understand the migration history.
Head to the Ushers Ferry Historic Village for a quaint open air museum and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art for culture.
Denver to Cedar Rapids distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Denver to Cedar Rapids is 798 miles. That makes for a driving time of around eleven hours and 27 minutes. The quickest route is mostly along the I-76 and I-80.
The best stops to add to a Denver to Cedar Rapids road trip itinerary are North Platte NE, Lincoln NE and Omaha NE.
For more suggestions, see the guides to the Denver to Omaha drive and Omaha to Des Moines drive.
Denver to Cedar Rapids drive: North Platte NE
North Platte NE is officially home to the largest railroad yard in the world, and you can get a panoramic view over the Bailey Yard from the Golden Spike Tower. Exhibits within the tower celebrate the Union Pacific Railroad, which operates across 23 states.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bill Ranch was the former home of William Cody. Better known as Buffalo Bill, Cody was one of the great characters of the Wild West – a buffalo hunter, a Pony Express rider and a shameless showman.
Denver to Cedar Rapids road trip attractions: Omaha NE
Omaha is the biggest city in Nebraska, and has a handful of solid attractions rather than anything truly great.
The Durham Museum has a rather eclectic set of exhibits, but the setting is marvellous – in the art deco Union Station. On a sunny day, meanwhile, the Heartland of America Park offers great views of the Missouri River.
Top Omaha experiences include electric bike rentals, scavenger hunts and the Henly Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Omaha hotels with excellent guest ratings include the Cambria and the Kimpton Cottonwood.
Best stops between Denver and Cedar Rapids IA: Des Moines
Good things to do in Des Moines include the Adventureland Resort theme park, the Science Center of Iowa and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
Also worth a look are the Iowa State Capital, Des Moines Art Center and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
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