Origin
Adel, IA
Late night in Adel on Friday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
144.9 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adel, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 144.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Greene Street, 290th Street, I-35 north for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
72.5 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 144.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 18m drive with frequent turns across 144.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Greene Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Greene Street | — | — |
| 290th Street | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| US 6 West | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | — | — |
| Marsh Avenue | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Greene Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on Nile Kinnick Drive South
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto Greene Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
3
Continue on 290th Street
12 mi
·
17 min
·
290th Street
4
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I-35 north, I-80 east
5
Merge slight left
10 mi
·
11 min
6
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
7
Continue straight
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
8
Keep slight left
4.5 mi
·
5 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
13
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
16
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
17
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
18
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
19
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
20
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
21
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 20 East: Waterloo
22
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
12 min
23
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CR D18: Cedar Falls
24
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
25
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
89 ft
·
2 sec
·
University Avenue
27
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
University Avenue
28
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
30
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
32
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
20 ft
·
Main Street
33
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 32 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Falls, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Adel, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 144.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Adel, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.5 mi from Adel, IA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.5 miles from Adel, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedar Falls, IA
The final approach into Cedar Falls, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Cedar Falls, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.65 one way
$45.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.87 | $49.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.88 | $55.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.99 | $63.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.21 | $6.96 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.68 | $5.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58 | 0 | $20.29 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Cedar Falls, IA
Late night in Cedar Falls on Friday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 144.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Greene Street, 290th Street, I-35 north. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.5 miles from Adel, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 2h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Adel, IA to Cedar Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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