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 Iowa City, IA
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
90.3 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Chris F
Iowa City, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Cedar Falls to Iowa City is a straightforward 90.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. The drive utilizes a combination of the Avenue of the Saints, IA 27, and I-80 to get you to your destination efficiently. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this connection offers a practical path across the heart of Iowa.
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
45.2 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a bit of a transition behind the wheel as you navigate this 90.3-mile path. While 19% of the trip is spent on highways, the character of the drive is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a simple interstate grind. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 68.8 miles. Because the road changes from faster highway segments to more technical local stretches, you will need to stay alert throughout the drive. It is a functional route that keeps you moving, though it requires more active steering than a standard highway cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 68.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 90.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 14 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...
8
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Iowa City, 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 | 68.8 mi | 1h 17m |
| IA 27 | 12.8 mi | 15m |
| I 80 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| North Dubuque Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Gilbert Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 18th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kimball Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 68.8 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Iowa City, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
13
Merge onto I 80
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Downtown
15
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dubuque Street
16
Turn left onto Kimball Road
477 ft
·
21 sec
·
Kimball Road
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North Gilbert Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Gilbert Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Gilbert Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best fits your schedule. With a total distance of 90.3 miles, you can easily complete the drive without needing to plan for meal breaks or rest stops along the way. Keep in mind that with $14 earmarked for fuel, it is wise to fill up before you leave to avoid mid-trip delays. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local sections, try to avoid making this drive during peak traffic hours if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Use the long 68.8-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints to settle into a steady rhythm before navigating the final local segments into Iowa City.
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 45.2 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.8 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 52m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa City, 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 90.3 miles and 1h 48m.
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 68.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.2 mi from Cedar Falls, IA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.2 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.8 miles.
Arriving in Iowa City, IA
The final approach into Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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
$13.72 one way
$27.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $15.12 | $30.24 |
| premium | $4.80 | $17.05 | $34.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.48 | $4.33 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.90 | $3.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.64 | $5.78 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Iowa City, IA
Afternoon in Iowa City on Sunday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
4 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
1h 48m 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 Iowa City, IA covers 90.3 miles and takes about 1h 48m 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, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.2 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 $13.72 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 90.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 Iowa City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Rapids along the way.
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