Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Morning in Cedar Falls on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Asbury, IA
Tom Fisk
Cedar Falls to Asbury is 97.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via US 20, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Iowa. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's perfect for a single day's travel. With minimal stops recommended and a relatively short duration, this route offers convenience for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. It's a practical option for a quick regional connection.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 77.5 mi | 1h 30m |
| IA 27 | 12.8 mi | 15m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Northwest Arterial | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Asbury Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 18th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 18th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Asbury, IA.
Start on Main Street
Continue on Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Continue on Main Street
Turn left onto West 18th Street
At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
Turn left onto IA 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
Turn left onto Northwest Arterial
Turn left onto Asbury Road
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour 56 minute duration, this is an ideal same-day trip. You can leave Cedar Falls anytime, but an early departure will give you ample time to settle into Asbury without feeling rushed. There are no specific stops called out, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along US 20. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $15 estimated cost suggests it's a straightforward fill-up, but it’s always wise to top off before heading out, especially before that 77.5-mile stretch on US 20.
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.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 58m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Asbury, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cedar Falls, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cedar Falls, IA
This is one driving day of about 97.6 miles and 1h 56m.
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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.8 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 US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto IA 27 toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$15.26 one way
$30.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
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: 34.1 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 | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cedar Falls on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Asbury on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 93% of the drive taking place on major roads like US 20 and IA 27, also known as the Avenue of the Saints. You'll experience a significant stretch of 77.5 miles on US 20 without interruption, offering a consistent driving pace. The character of the drive is largely about efficient travel, minimizing complex navigation. Expect a smooth, direct path that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and IA 27. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.4 miles (East 18th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cedar Falls, IA to Asbury, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Rapids along the way.
Cedar Rapids
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
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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