Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Falls on Friday
Local time
12:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
126.6 mi
204 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Adel, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA covers 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IA 330, Sanford Avenue, US 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on IA 330. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.79 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
63.3 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA covers 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 45m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 330 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 126.6 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
96.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
8
113.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 125
Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
Grundy Center
18.8 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 330 | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
| US 20 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Hickman Road | 9.4 mi | 13m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| University Avenue | 5.3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
IA 330
— 35.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Adel, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
52 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on Main Street
61 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
6
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
7
Turn right onto University Avenue
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
University Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
University Avenue
9
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
10
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 20
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 20
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
14
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
15
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
16
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
17
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
19
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
20
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
21
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
22
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
23
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi
·
42 min
·
IA 330
24
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80; I 35
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80; I 35
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 125
Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto US 6
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
Hickman Road
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 6
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
290th Street
29
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
30
Turn right onto US 169
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
31
Arrive at destination
US 169
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.3 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 26m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Adel, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar Falls, 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 Cedar Falls, IA
This is one driving day of about 126.6 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Cedar Falls, 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 IA 330 for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.3 mi from Cedar Falls, IA · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Adel, IA
The final approach into Adel, 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 Adel, 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
$19.79 one way
$39.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.36 | $48.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.72 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Adel, IA
Afternoon in Adel on Friday
Local time
12:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 45m 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 Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA covers 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IA 330, Sanford Avenue, US 65. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.3 miles from Cedar Falls, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.79 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.6 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Adel, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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