Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Evening in Cedar Falls on Thursday
Local time
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Fairfield, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
157.1 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Fairfield, IA
Daniel Dorfer
Trip Overview
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Fairfield, IA covers 157.1 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Main Street, West 18th Street, East 18th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.56 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
78.6 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 157.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 3m drive with frequent turns across 157.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Fairfield, IA is easy. At 3h 3m 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 Fairfield, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street | — | — |
| West 18th Street | — | — |
| East 18th Street | — | — |
| IA 27 | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| US 20 East | — | — |
| US 34 | — | — |
| East Burlington 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 Fairfield, 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 2 toward Main Street
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
4
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn left onto West 18th Street
39 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 18th Street
6
At the end of the road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 18th Street
7
Take the ramp right toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
IA 27 south, IA 58 south
8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Turn left onto US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
10
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
116 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight right
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
12
Take the exit right
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
13
Merge slight left
19 mi
·
22 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 Business West
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 34 Business West
15
Turn right onto East Burlington Avenue
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Burlington Avenue
16
Turn right onto North B Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North B Street
17
Turn left onto East Briggs Avenue
413 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Briggs Avenue
18
Arrive at your destination
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 78.6 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 1h 31m 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 157.1 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 78.6 mi from Cedar Falls, IA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.6 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairfield, IA
The final approach into Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, 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
$24.56 one way
$49.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.97 | $53.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.23 | $60.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.69 | $69.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.50 | $7.54 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.99 | $10.05 |
Gas CO2
55 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.
Destination
Fairfield, IA
Evening in Fairfield on Thursday
Local time
5:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
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
3h 3m 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 Fairfield, IA covers 157.1 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, West 18th Street, East 18th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.6 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 $24.56 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 Cedar Falls, IA to Fairfield, IA is easy. At 3h 3m 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 Fairfield, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cedar Falls, IA to Fairfield, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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