Connecting Ames to Cedar Falls, this 93.4-mile journey is a straightforward Midwest transit that typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the total duration is under two hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick excursion between these two Iowa hubs. The route relies primarily on US 20, I-35 Business, and University Avenue to get you to your destination efficiently. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of the drive makes it a low-stress endeavor. It is a practical connection that keeps you moving through the heart of the state without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
53.9 mi
1h 2m
I 35 Business
28.6 mi
31m
University Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
13th Street
2.7 mi
5m
Main Street
1 mi
1m
Grundy Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 53.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi·5 min·13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
29 mi·31 min·I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4
Merge onto US 20
54 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 20
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
6
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
7
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
88 ft·1 sec·University Avenue
9
Continue on University Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·University Avenue
10
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
11
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
77 ft·1 sec·Main Street
12
Continue on Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
13
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
74 ft·1 sec·Main Street
14
Continue on Main Street
21 ft·0 sec·Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving during off-peak hours will ensure the smoothest travel on US 20. You do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops given the sub-two-hour duration, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your fuel budget around $14 in mind as you plan your vehicle's needs for the 93.4-mile trip. Because the longest stretch is 53.9 miles, make sure you are comfortable with extended highway driving before you head out. A helpful tip is to check traffic reports specifically for the University Avenue approach into Cedar Falls, as local congestion can sometimes impact your arrival time even after a smooth highway run.
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 46.7 miles from Ames, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 54m 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 29m
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 Ames, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 93.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 53.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 92.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|I 35 Business
Turn left onto I 35 Business toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
4
31.3 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
5
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.60 one way
$29.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.03
$32.06
premium
$4.89
$17.97
$35.95
diesel
$5.61
$20.62
$41.24
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: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.81
$4.48
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.17
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Ames, IA
Morning
in Ames on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Falls, IA
Morning
in Cedar Falls on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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 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 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your journey is spent on high-speed roads. The drive is defined by a significant 53.9-mile stretch on US 20, which serves as the backbone of your trip and allows for consistent travel speeds. You will transition from the local access of I-35 Business and University Avenue into the broader flow of the highway system. Because most of the route is dedicated to these major roads, the pace remains steady and predictable throughout the 93.4-mile transit. You won't face many technical challenges, as the road character favors efficiency over complex navigation, keeping you in a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.9 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35 Business. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ames, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 1h 52m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Cedar Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cr D18: Cedar Falls along the way.
Ames is a pleasant college town in Central Iowa, sitting astride the Skunk River roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic year at Iowa State University, which is the city's primary draw.
Top landmarks
•Catt Hall — building on Iowa State University's campus, U.S.
•Food Sciences Building — historic building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United S...
The longest stretch is about 53.9 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Falls, IA before heading back.
