Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Night in Cedar Falls on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
132.1 mi
213 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Algona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cedar Falls to Algona is 132.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes via Avenue of the Saints and US 18, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Iowa, taking you through the Midwest region. Expect a route with a fair number of turns and local road segments, making it more of an engaging local drive than a straightforward interstate journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 84 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 18 | 38.6 mi | 53m |
| 210th Street | 4 mi | 5m |
| East McGregor Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 4th Avenue South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 210th Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South 8th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Waterloo Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 84 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Algona, 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 Waterloo Road
179 ft
·
3 sec
·
Waterloo Road
4
Continue on Waterloo Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Waterloo Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north
6
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
84 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
8
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
9
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 8th Street
10
Turn left onto US 18
39 mi
·
53 min
·
US 18
11
Turn left onto 210th Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Avenue
12
Turn right onto 210th Street
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
210th Street
13
Continue on East McGregor Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East McGregor Street
14
Turn right onto South Jones Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Jones Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 169
Trip Plan
For this 132.1-mile trip, consider departing Cedar Falls in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. While only a 2 hour 45 minute drive, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you might want to plan for a brief stop to stretch your legs or grab a snack, even though only one stop is typically needed. Keep an eye on your GPS, especially as you transition between the Avenue of the Saints, US 18, and local roads like 210th Street, to ensure you stay on track. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so be mindful of your fuel gauge as you depart.
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 66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, 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 132.1 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 84 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.2 — 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
|
Waterloo Road
Enter roundabout onto Waterloo Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north
5
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason...
4
85 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
I 35 Business / South 8th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / South 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.65 one way
$41.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.68 | $45.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.42 | $50.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.17 | $58.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.87 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.49 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Algona, IA
Night in Algona on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
2 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 45m 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?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with only 29% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate segments of Avenue of the Saints, US 18, and 210th Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84 miles on Avenue of the Saints, providing a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more winding local roads. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you make your way through Iowa.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Waterloo Road.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Algona, IA is easy. At 2h 45m with 29% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Waterloo Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Algona, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
Cr B35: Clear Lake
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 35 Business
Mason City
84.7 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 35 Business
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 132.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (29%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Waterloo Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Algona, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Algona, IA
More trips to Algona, IA
Explore more options from Cedar Falls, IA or browse trips ending in Algona, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.