Origin
Altoona, IA
Late night in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Cedar Falls, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
97.9 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 97.9-mile drive from Altoona, IA, to Cedar Falls, IA, is a straightforward 1-hour-and-46-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway mileage to consider, suggesting a more community-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, which is quite economical for the distance covered. Given its relatively short duration and local road profile, this route is best tackled in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart and how often you choose to pause. The entire trip stays within the Midwest region, keeping the landscape consistent.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.9 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Avenue North | — | — |
| Northeast 72nd Street | — | — |
| Grant Street South | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | — | — |
| Marsh Avenue | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
| 160th Street | — | — |
| Sanford Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
1st Avenue North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Northeast 72nd Street
5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street South
6
Continue on Grant Street South
135 ft
·
8 sec
·
Grant Street South
7
Turn right onto Northeast Hubbell Road
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
8
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
9
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
11
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
12
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
13
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
14
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
15
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
16
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
17
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 20 East: Waterloo
18
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
12 min
19
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CR D18: Cedar Falls
20
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Grundy Road
21
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
University Avenue
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
89 ft
·
2 sec
·
University Avenue
23
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
University Avenue
24
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
26
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
Main Street
28
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
20 ft
·
Main Street
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1-hour-and-46-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, perhaps in the morning to maximize your day in Cedar Falls. With no long highway stretches, you can easily make quick stops for fuel or a break as needed, though with only 97.9 miles, you might not need many. The estimated fuel cost of $15 is minimal, so budget-conscious travelers will find this route appealing. Keep an eye on your GPS for the frequent turns characteristic of this local road journey; it's easy to get slightly off track if you're not paying attention to navigation.
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 48.9 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 53m 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 22 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 53m 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 27m
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 Altoona, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 97.9 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Altoona, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.31 one way
$30.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.80 | $33.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.84 | $37.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.62 | $43.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.28 | $4.70 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.71 | $6.27 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Late night in Cedar Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:53 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
19 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 46m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 97.9-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be interacting with smaller streets and intersections rather than high-speed interstates. The route is broken down into manageable segments, with no particularly long stretches to cause monotony. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the towns and landscapes you pass through, as the local road profile often leads you through the heart of communities. Be prepared for frequent turns and adjustments as you make your way from Altoona to Cedar Falls.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: 1st Avenue North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
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 Altoona, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 46m 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 Altoona, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 97.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Falls, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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