Origin
Storm Lake, IA
Morning in Storm Lake on Thursday
Local time
11:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
160 mi
257 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 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Storm Lake, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 160 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Lakeshore Drive, 130th Avenue, US 71 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.01 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
80 miles from Storm Lake, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 160 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m 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 2h 33m drive with frequent turns across 160 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Lakeshore Drive 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 Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 2h 33m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Lakeshore Drive | — | — |
| 130th Avenue | — | — |
| US 71 | — | — |
| US 20 East | — | — |
| CR D18 | — | — |
| Grundy Road | — | — |
| University Avenue | — | — |
| Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West Lakeshore Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Storm Lake, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
West Lakeshore Drive
3
Continue on 130th Avenue
11 mi
·
14 min
·
130th Avenue
4
Continue on US 71
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 71
5
Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 20 East: Fort Dodge
6
Merge slight left
135 mi
·
2 hr 36 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CR D18: Cedar Falls
8
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
9
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
89 ft
·
2 sec
·
University Avenue
11
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
University Avenue
12
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
14
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
16
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
20 ft
·
Main Street
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80 miles from Storm Lake, IA, or about 1h 16m 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 16m 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 5m
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 Storm Lake, 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 Storm Lake, IA
This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Storm Lake, 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 80 mi from Storm Lake, IA · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles from Storm Lake, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cedar Falls, IA
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.01 one way
$50.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.46 | $54.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.33 | $70.65 |
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: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Cedar Falls, IA
Morning in Cedar Falls on Thursday
Local time
11:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
24 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
2h 33m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA covers 160 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Lakeshore Drive, 130th Avenue, US 71. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80 miles from Storm Lake, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.01 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.
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 Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 2h 33m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Storm Lake, IA to Cedar Falls, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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