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Trip from Anamosa, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 36m

Distance

77.4 mi

125 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

4 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 29m ★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Jones County, Iowa, United States

Anamosa, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Cedar Falls, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Anamosa, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 77.4 miles and takes about 1h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, County Home Road, IA 58 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.9 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.10 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

38.7 miles from Anamosa, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 77.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (5%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 36m drive with frequent turns across 77.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 48.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cemetery Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 72.3 miles (IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Cemetery Road

At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road

Navigation decision point

5
20.4 mi into trip | ~30m in | County Home Road

Enter roundabout onto County Home Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
72.3 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | IA 27

Take the exit onto IA 27 toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
5
72.6 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 184 Toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 48.9 mi 53m
County Home Road 16.4 mi 22m
IA 58 4 mi 5m
Fairview Road 3 mi 5m
County Road E34 2.7 mi 4m
South Elm Street 0.6 mi 1m
Waterloo Road 0.4 mi <1m
East Main Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 48.9 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anamosa, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.

1

Start on CR E28

0.4 mi · 44 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto CR E34

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Elm Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road

41 ft · 1 sec · Cemetery Road
4

Turn right onto CR E34

0.3 mi · 29 sec · South Elm Street
5

Continue on CR E34

2.7 mi · 4 min · County Road E34
6

Turn right onto CR E34

3.0 mi · 5 min · Fairview Road
7

Continue on CR E34

12 mi · 16 min · County Home Road
8

Enter roundabout onto CR E34

120 ft · 2 sec · County Home Road
9

Continue on CR E34

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Home Road
10

Enter roundabout onto County Home Road

134 ft · 2 sec · County Home Road
11

Continue on County Home Road

2.7 mi · 3 min · County Home Road
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
13

Merge onto I 380; IA 27

42 mi · 45 min · Avenue of the Saints
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27

6.9 mi · 7 min · Avenue of the Saints
15

Take the exit onto IA 27

0.3 mi · 35 sec · IA 27
Toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
16

Keep slight left at fork

260 ft · 8 sec
17

Turn right onto IA 58

4.0 mi · 5 min · IA 58
Use the left lane.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 184 Toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road
19

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · this road
Toward Waterloo Road
20

Turn left onto Waterloo Road

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Waterloo Road
21

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

15 ft · 0 sec · Main Street
22

Continue on Main Street

21 ft · 0 sec · Main Street
23

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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 38.7 miles from Anamosa, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.9 miles.

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 17 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.7 miles or 51m 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 21m

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 Anamosa, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Anamosa, IA

This is one driving day of about 77.4 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Anamosa, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 48.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.7 mi from Anamosa, IA · 51m into the drive

Downtown Vinton, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vinton, IA

39 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

Marion, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vinton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.7 miles from Anamosa, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Trading Grounds

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marion, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16.6

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

Subway

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Anamosa, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+13194624411

Visit website

Oscar's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13193788885

Visit website

Cruz's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193202424

Visit website

Yummy Banh Mi and Boba Tea, Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13192004254

Visit website

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13195504517

Visit website

Paradise Indian Grill - Cedar Rapids

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13193182070

Visit website

Café by Country Kitchen

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.6

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193778627

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13192005582

Trading Grounds

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16.6

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 66.4

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 66.4

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 27.6

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 22.1

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.6

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.10 one way

$24.20 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.29 $26.57
premium $4.89 $14.89 $29.79
diesel $5.61 $17.09 $34.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

4 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Supercharger

Waterloo, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Center Point, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Waterloo, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Blink: 2 Tesla: 1 Shell Recharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.2 0 $8.13 $3.72
Efficient EV 19.4 0 $6.77 $3.10
EV Truck/SUV 31 0 $10.84 $4.95

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Anamosa, IA

Late night in Anamosa on Saturday

Local time

5:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Falls, IA

Late night in Cedar Falls on Saturday

Local time

5:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Vinton, IA

39 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

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 36m 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 Anamosa, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 77.4 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, County Home Road, IA 58. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 38.7 miles from Anamosa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.10 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.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 72.3 miles (IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Anamosa, IA to Cedar Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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