Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Red Oak, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

224.9 mi

362 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 35m ★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Cedar Falls, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States

Red Oak, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Red Oak, IA covers 224.9 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, IA 330, Sanford Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.16 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

112.4 miles from Cedar Falls, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 67.9 mi 1h 13m
IA 330 35.9 mi 42m
Sanford Avenue 15.9 mi 21m
110 Street 14 mi 20m
US 65 13 mi 15m
US 20 11.3 mi 13m
550th Street 10 mi 14m
White Pole Road 9 mi 13m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 67.9 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Red Oak, 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

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Take the exit onto US 6

0.4 mi · 48 sec · US 6
Toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
28

Turn left onto US 6; US 71

6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
29

Turn right onto US 6; US 71

3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
30

Continue on US 6; IA 83

0.1 mi · 20 sec · White Pole Road
31

Continue on US 6

0.6 mi · 1 min · West 7th Street
32

Continue on US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
33

Continue on US 6

8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
34

Turn left onto IA 48

5.3 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
35

Continue on IA 48

1.0 mi · 1 min · Adair Street
36

Continue on IA 48

4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
37

Continue on IA 48

0.9 mi · 1 min · M Avenue
38

Continue on IA 48

14 mi · 20 min · 110 Street
39

Turn left onto West Hammond Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Hammond Street
40

Turn right onto North 7th Street

300 ft · 15 sec · North 7th Street
41

Turn right onto East Reed Street

329 ft · 14 sec · East Reed Street
42

Arrive at destination

East Reed Street

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 112.4 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 49 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 112.4 miles or 2h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Oak, 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 224.9 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 I 80 for about 67.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Grimes, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grimes, IA

112 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

Marshalltown, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grimes, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.4 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.5

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Casa De Oro Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Oak, Iowa

1.2 mi

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

1.7 mi

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.5

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Casa De Oro Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 224.9

Red Oak, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17126236383

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.6

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.4

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+15152706818

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 112.4

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

Mi Mexico Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.4

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152226933

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 112.4

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15155133330

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 128.5

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 112.4

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 144.5

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 112.4

Urbandale, Iowa

Red E Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 144.5

Stuart, Iowa

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 112.4

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 112.4

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 112.4

Grimes, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
7
115.4 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.16 one way

$70.32 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.60 $77.21
premium $4.89 $43.28 $86.56
diesel $5.61 $49.66 $99.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.5 0 $23.61 $10.80
Efficient EV 56.2 0 $19.68 $9.00
EV Truck/SUV 90 1 $31.49 $14.39

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Cedar Falls, IA

Afternoon in Cedar Falls on Saturday

Local time

1:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Red Oak, IA

Afternoon in Red Oak on Saturday

Local time

1:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

26 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

4h 48m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

224.9 mi in 4h 48m — 57% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 80.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.9 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 24 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 224.9 miles you will encounter 24 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cedar Falls, IA and Red Oak, IA, road signs point toward Grundy Center and Audubon.

Grundy Center

18.8 mi in | ~24m

Audubon

177.7 mi in | ~3h 35m | via US 6

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 224.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.9 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Red Oak, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Red Oak, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Red Oak, IA

Mason City, IA 238 mi · 4h 44m Waterloo, IA 229.5 mi · 4h 53m Indiana, IA 128.3 mi · 3h 12m Des Moines, IA 118.3 mi · 2h 31m

More from Cedar Falls, IA

Osceola, IA 155.3 mi · 3h 13m Centerville, IA 146.5 mi · 3h 38m Davenport, IA 142.9 mi · 2h 49m Algona, IA 132.1 mi · 2h 45m Asbury, IA 97.6 mi · 1h 56m Iowa City, IA 90.3 mi · 1h 48m

More trips to Red Oak, IA

West Des Moines, IA 113.8 mi
Escape planner: Cedar Falls, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Cedar Falls, IA or browse trips ending in Red Oak, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.