Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
95.6 mi
154 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
The drive from Ames, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 95.6 miles and takes about 1h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35 North, US 20 East, CR D18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.19 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
47.8 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 32m drive with frequent turns across 95.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 20 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR D18 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grundy Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| University Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
Start on 13th Street
Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
Turn left onto Grundy Road
Continue on University Avenue
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
Turn left onto Main Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Falls, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ames, 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 Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 95.6 miles and 1h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.8 mi from Ames, IA · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$14.19 one way
$28.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.01 | $32.01 |
| premium | $4.65 | $17.52 | $35.03 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $19.96 | $39.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cedar Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Mason City, IA
48 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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