Car Rental - Cedar Rapids

 

Car rental in Cedar Rapids could be your first trip towards a smooth journey in the Midwest – for business, vacation or family holidays.

Rent a car in Cedar Rapids to experience the vibrant colors of the ‘City of Five Seasons’. The second biggest destination in Iowa, Cedar Rapids is the largest corn-processing city in the world.

Hop in a holiday or business rental car and head to downtown Cedar Rapids. Explore the rich culture and flavors of the Midwest, from comforting cuisine to a lively arts and museum scene. Follow the winding Cedar River in one of the city’s iconic parks or find seven traditional German villages at the nearby Amana Colonies.

You could even travel further afield to the capital city of Des Moines or its suburb Ankeny, both just two hours away from Cedar Rapids by rental car.

Landing at Eastern Iowa Airport? From roomy SUVs to sleek sedans, our range contains the right rental car for your Cedar Rapids trip.

Reserve a rental car in Cedar Rapids to kickstart your Midwestern journey through the Hawkeye State with Hertz.

Cedar Rapids Locations

A Quick Guide to Cedar Rapids

Palisades-Kepler State Park

Palisades-Kepler State Park

700 Kepler Drive, Mount Vernon, IA52314

Explore the banks of the Cedar River at the 840-acre Palisades-Kepler State Park, less than 20 minutes away from central Cedar Rapids by car. Admire the changing colors of fall leaves and tread stony paths as you wander the five miles of hiking trails. 

Brucemore

Brucemore

2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52403

Visit the manicured gardens of the 26-acre Brucemore estate and museum and enjoy the preserved heritage of this 1880s mansion. More than one million visitors have enjoyed the grounds of the Brucemore estate since 1981, exploring the rare Prairie-style landscape, the concept of “outdoor rooms” and other specialty gardens.

Visiting Cedar Rapids with family? A holiday car rental makes it easier to travel in a group during the festive season.

African American Museum of Iowa

African American Museum of Iowa

55 12th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401

Learn more about Iowa’s African American history and culture with an engaging learning experience for all ages, located right by the Cedar River. From ancestral roots to the Civil Rights Movement, this educational museum showcases permanent and seasonal collections, including art installations, artifacts and interactive exhibits. With car rental, it’s easy to expand your horizons in Cedar Rapids.

Residence Inn by Marriott Cedar Rapids

1900 Dodge Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402

Visit the charming suites of the Residence Inn, only minutes from the Eastern Iowa Airport, Mount Mercy University and downtown Cedar Rapids with car rental. Enjoy a full American breakfast and access to Netflix and Hulu in all rooms. You’ll be well-situated for a trip to Lindale Mall or a drive downtown. 

Belmont Hill Victorian B&B

1525 Cherokee Drive NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52405

Stay in the renovated 1890 guest quarters at the Belmont Hill Victorian B&B, just five minutes from downtown Cedar Rapids by car. The proud owners of Belmont Hill offer cozy rooms full of character, complete with four-poster beds and Victorian furnishings. Park up easily with private off-street parking.

Hotel Millwright

800 48th Avenue, Amana, IA, 52203

Located near the National Historic Landmark of Amana Colonies, settle down in the contemporary guest rooms of the historical Hotel Millwright. This boutique hotel is part of the restored Amana Woolen Mill. Each luxury room features unique accents produced by the last remaining textile mill in Iowa.

Black Sheep Social Club

600 1st Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401

Putting a twist on Midwestern favorites, the Black Sheep Social Club is an upscale restaurant in a restored warehouse near the Cedar River. Perfect for group bookings or a special dinner, here you can sink your teeth into Cajun porterhouse steak, black garlic Iowa pork chop or succulent seared salmon. Bring your Cedar Rapids work colleagues here in a sleek business car rental.

Oyama Sushi & Steakhouse

5350 Council Street NE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402

Step inside a traditional Japanese steakhouse where savory flavors are found in abundance. Enjoy colorful plates of fresh sushi and sashimi, or why not take a seat at the hibachi grill? Whether it’s a speedy lunch or an evening meal, you’re sure to have an entertaining and tasty time.

Cobble Hill Restaurant

219 2nd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401

Offering seasonal dishes, Cobble Hill Restaurant is a trendy, upscale restaurant in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids. It’s a local favorite for its sustainably sourced American fare and friendly service. From fresh oysters to flat iron steak, dishes are known to change regularly so keep an eye on their rotating menu.

Driving In and Around Cedar Rapids

  • 4th Avenue Parking Ramp (52401) has more than 900 spaces for your rental car and is situated close to Cedar Rapids Public Library and the Museum of Art.
  • Convention Center Ramp (52401) contains more than 475 spaces and can be found nearby the US Cellular Center arena.
  • 800 2nd Street South East (52402) is a Republic Parking lot, close to NewBo City Market in Downtown Cedar Rapids.

 

  • Interstate 380 (I-380) connects Cedar Rapids north to Waterloo and south toward Iowa City. Renting a car makes it easier to get around.
  • Iowa Highway 100 (IA-100) is anauxiliary highway connecting US-30 in the west, Collins Road in the north and US151/IA-13 in the east.
  • Route 30 (US-30) lies south of Cedar Rapids, traveling coast to coast; head west past Des Moines for northern Omaha, Nebraska, or east to reach Aurora, Illinois. 

 

How to Get From Cedar Rapids to Des Moines

It takes two hours to drive the 130 miles from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines in your Hertz car rental.

  1. From our downtown Cedar Rapids car rental lot, turn right on to 8th Avenue South East. 
  2. Take a slight right onto Diagonal Drive South West.
  3. Turn left on to L Street South West.
  4. Use the left lane on to I-380 South/IA-27 South.
  5. Continue on I-380 South/IA-27 South for approximately 80 miles.
  6. Take Exit 0B and merge on to I-80 West towards Des Moines.
  7. Then, take Exit 137A and merge on to I-235 West.
  8. Finally, take Exit 8A, following signs for Downtown Des Moines.

 

How to Get From Cedar Rapids to Amana Colonies

Amana Colonies is just a 30-minute, 20-mile drive from Cedar Rapids with your rental car. Just take 1st Avenue South West and continue as it becomes Williams Boulevard South West. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto US-151 South/Hiawatha Pioneer Trail for around 14 miles, and turn left onto 220th Trail as you reach Amana.

 

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