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Trip from Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

155.4 mi

250 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

8 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m

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 Carroll County, Iowa, United States

Carroll, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Cedar Falls, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 155.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, US 71, Norridge Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.8 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.30 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.7 miles from Carroll, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 155.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 155.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and US 71. The longest continuous stretch is about 108.8 miles on US 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 108.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and US 71. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 3h 15m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 30 / East 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (IA 175 / 370th Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 30 / East 6th Street

Turn right onto US 30 / East 6th Street

Navigation decision point

5
13.3 mi into trip | ~20m in | IA 175 / 370th Street

At end of road, turn right onto IA 175 / 370th Street

Navigation decision point

5
152.6 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | University Avenue

Enter roundabout onto University Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
154.6 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in | Main Street

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 108.8 mi 2h 5m
US 71 12.5 mi 18m
Norridge Avenue 9 mi 12m
University Avenue 5.3 mi 8m
365th Street 3.1 mi 4m
360th Street 3 mi 4m
State Highway 175 3 mi 4m
Ogden Avenue 2.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 108.8 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

129 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn right

74 ft · 7 sec
3

Turn right onto US 30

0.8 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
4

Turn slight right onto US 71

12 mi · 18 min · US 71
5

At end of road, turn right onto IA 175

1.0 mi · 1 min · 370th Street
6

Continue on IA 175

3.1 mi · 4 min · 365th Street
7

Continue on IA 175

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 175
8

Continue on IA 175

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 175
9

Continue on IA 175

2.1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
10

Continue on IA 175

3.0 mi · 4 min · 360th Street
11

Turn left onto IA 4

9.0 mi · 12 min · Norridge Avenue
12

Turn right onto CR D36

1.0 mi · 1 min · West High Street
13

Turn left onto N57

1.0 mi · 1 min · North 1st Street
14

Continue on N57

2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue
15

Turn right onto US 20

109 mi · 2 hr 5 min · US 20
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
17

Turn left onto Grundy Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Grundy Road
18

Continue on University Avenue

3.5 mi · 4 min · University Avenue
19

Enter roundabout onto University Avenue

88 ft · 1 sec · University Avenue
20

Continue on University Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
21

Turn left onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Main Street
22

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

77 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
23

Continue on Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
24

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

74 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
25

Continue on Main Street

21 ft · 0 sec · Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.7 miles from Carroll, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.8 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 34 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.7 miles or 1h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 39m

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 Carroll, 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 Carroll, IA

This is one driving day of about 155.4 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Carroll, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 108.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 77.7 mi from Carroll, IA · 1h 42m into the drive

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Webster City, IA

78 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

Lake City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.7 miles from Carroll, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.8 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 77.7

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Shell Recharge Charging Station

1.6 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Carroll, Iowa

+18559007584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 77.7

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Circuit électrique Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Carroll, Iowa

+18006869243

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 66.6

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 88.8

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 77.7

Webster City, IA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Car Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 88.8

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.30 one way

$48.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.67 $53.35
premium $4.89 $29.91 $59.81
diesel $5.61 $34.31 $68.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

8 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Blink Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Fort Dodge, Iowa

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Williams, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Carroll, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Circuit électrique Charging Station

Carroll, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Webster City, IA

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EVgo Car Charging Station

Williams, Iowa

EVgo

1 DCFC

Other: 3 Blink: 1 EV Connect: 1 Shell Recharge: 1 ChargePoint: 1 EVgo: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.6 0 $16.32 $7.46
Efficient EV 38.9 0 $13.60 $6.22
EV Truck/SUV 62.2 0 $21.76 $9.95

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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 16, 2026

Origin

Carroll, IA

Evening in Carroll on Thursday

Local time

7:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Falls, IA

Evening in Cedar Falls on Thursday

Local time

7:55 PM

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

3h 15m 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 Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 155.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, US 71, Norridge Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.7 miles from Carroll, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.30 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 3h 15m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 30 / East 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (IA 175 / 370th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Carroll, IA to Cedar Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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