Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Evening in Cedar Falls on Wednesday
Local time
6:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
132.1 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
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
Algona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA covers 132.1 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 Main Street, Waterloo Road, IA 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.65 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 45m drive with frequent turns across 132.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA is easy. At 2h 45m 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 Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | — | — |
| Waterloo Road | — | — |
| IA 27 | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| I 35 | — | — |
| 4th Avenue South | — | — |
| South 8th Street | — | — |
| 210th Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Algona, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
52 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on Main Street
62 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waterloo Road
180 ft
·
4 sec
·
Waterloo Road
4
Exit the roundabout onto Waterloo Road
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Waterloo Road
5
Take the ramp left toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
IA 27 north, IA 58 north
6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
84 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
8
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
9
Turn right onto South 8th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 8th Street
10
Turn left
39 mi
·
53 min
11
Turn left onto 210th Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Avenue
12
Turn right onto 210th Street
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
210th Street
13
Continue on East McGregor Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East McGregor Street
14
Turn right onto South Jones Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Jones Street
15
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 1h 22m 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, 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 132.1 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Cedar Falls, IA · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Algona, IA
The final approach into Algona, 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 Algona, 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
$20.65 one way
$41.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.68 | $45.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.42 | $50.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.17 | $58.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.87 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.49 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Algona, IA
Evening in Algona on Wednesday
Local time
6:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
20 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 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 Algona, IA covers 132.1 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 Main Street, Waterloo Road, IA 27. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 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 $20.65 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.
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 Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA is easy. At 2h 45m 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 Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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