Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Afternoon in Cedar Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Hiawatha, IA
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
59 mi
95 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Chris F
Hiawatha, IA
Azahel Calzada De La Luz
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Iowa Midwest, the 59-mile journey from Cedar Falls to Hiawatha is an efficient option. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 7 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the route is as wallet-friendly as it is convenient. You will primarily navigate via the Avenue of the Saints, IA 27, and local segments of Main Street. Because the total travel time is quite short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional business in the area. It is a straightforward transit that prioritizes connectivity over long-distance touring.
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
29.5 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged rather than lulled into a highway trance. While roughly 22% of the journey takes place on high-speed highways, the rest of the drive shifts into more technical, local road conditions. You will spend the bulk of your time on the 44.7-mile stretch along the Avenue of the Saints, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. As you transition between these faster segments and local streets, be prepared for frequent changes in road rhythm. The mix of highway speed and local maneuvering ensures you stay focused on the road ahead from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 44.7 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (East 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 18th Street
At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
Navigation decision point
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
IA 27
Turn left onto IA 27 toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar...
6
17.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Hiawatha, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Rapids along the way.
Cedar Rapids
4.9 mi in
|
~7m
|
via IA 27
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 44.7 mi | 49m |
| IA 27 | 12.8 mi | 15m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Blairs Ferry Road Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 18th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 9th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Heefner Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 18th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 44.7 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Hiawatha, 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
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn left onto West 18th Street
40 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 18th Street
6
At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 18th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Turn left onto IA 27
13 mi
·
15 min
·
IA 27
Toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward IA 100
12
Keep slight right at fork
136 ft
·
5 sec
13
Turn straight onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Blairs Ferry Road Northeast
14
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
395 ft
·
22 sec
·
9th Avenue
15
Turn left onto Heefner Street
174 ft
·
7 sec
·
Heefner Street
16
Arrive at destination
Heefner Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively brief drive, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid local congestion. You won't need to worry about mid-route fuel stops given the modest $9 cost, but it is always wise to check your levels before leaving Cedar Falls. Because the route is only 59 miles, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing scheduled rest breaks. Keep a close eye on your navigation when exiting the primary highway, as the transition to local Main Street driving requires more attention than the open road. Utilizing this efficient path allows you to reach Hiawatha quickly while leaving your entire day open for other activities.
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 29.5 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.5 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hiawatha, 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 59 miles and 1h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Falls, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 44.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.5 mi from Cedar Falls, IA · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.5 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hiawatha, IA
The final approach into Hiawatha, 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 Hiawatha, 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
$8.96 one way
$17.92 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.88 | $19.76 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.14 | $22.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.11 | $26.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.16 | $2.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.26 | $3.78 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Hiawatha, IA
Afternoon in Hiawatha on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
30 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
1 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 7m 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 Hiawatha, IA covers 59 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, IA 27, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.5 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 $8.96 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 59 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (East 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Hiawatha, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Rapids along the way.
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