Trip from Le Mars, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

218.2 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 218.2 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 5th Avenue Northeast, Lincoln Street Northeast, Highway 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.39 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

109.1 miles from Le Mars, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 31m drive with frequent turns across 218.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

5th Avenue Northeast is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
5th Avenue Northeast	0 mi	0m
Lincoln Street Northeast	0 mi	0m
Highway 3	0 mi	0m
County Road K64	0 mi	0m
Oyens Avenue	0 mi	0m
C 60	0 mi	0m
County Road C66	0 mi	0m
310th Street	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: 5th Avenue Northeast — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on 1st Street Northeast

2

Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

3

Continue on Lincoln Street Northeast

4

Continue on State Highway 3

5

Turn right onto County Road K64

6

Continue on Oyens Avenue

7

Turn left onto C 60

8

Turn right onto County Road C66

9

Continue on 310th Street

10

Turn straight onto County Highway C66

11

Continue on Main Street

12

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

13

Continue on 320th Street

14

Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

15

Continue on Lee Avenue

16

Turn left onto Highway 20

17

Continue on United States Highway 20

18

Continue on 220th Street

19

Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

20

Turn left onto Grundy Road

21

Continue on University Avenue

22

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue

23

Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue

24

Turn left onto Main Street

25

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

26

Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

27

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

28

Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

29

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 109.1 miles from Le Mars, IA.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.1 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Falls, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Le Mars, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Le Mars, IA

This is one driving day of about 218.2 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Le Mars, 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

109 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Cedar Falls, 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 Cedar Falls, IA.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.1 mi from Le Mars, IA

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ames, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.1 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.77	$32.39	$64.79
midgrade	$4.25	$36.54	$73.07
premium	$4.65	$39.98	$79.96
diesel	$5.30	$45.56	$91.13

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 218.2 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 5th Avenue Northeast, Lincoln Street Northeast, Highway 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 109.1 miles from Le Mars, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.39 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.

More trips to Cedar Falls, IA

Osceola County, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

232.8 mi 3h 54m

Iowa City, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

90.4 mi 1h 28m