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Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Asbury, IA

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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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Cedar Falls, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Asbury, IA, IA

Asbury, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 20 — 77.5 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Asbury, 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 Main Street

104 ft · 2 sec · Main Street
4

Continue on Main Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
5

Turn left onto West 18th Street

40 ft · 3 sec · West 18th Street
6

At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · East 18th Street
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto IA 27; IA 58

4.1 mi · 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
9

Turn left onto IA 27

13 mi · 15 min · IA 27
Toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

77 mi · 1 hr 30 min · US 20
11

Turn left onto Northwest Arterial

1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Arterial
12

Turn left onto Asbury Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Asbury Road
13

Arrive at destination

Asbury Road

Trip Plan

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.

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 48.8 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.5 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Cedar Falls, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 77.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Oelwein, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oelwein, IA

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

Elk Run Heights, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Manchester, IA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

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.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Main Street

Enter roundabout onto Main Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 18th Street

At end of road, turn straight onto East 18th Street

Navigation decision point

8
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
5
4.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | IA 27

Turn left onto IA 27 toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar...
4
17.7 mi into trip | ~22m in | US 20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.26 one way

$30.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Cedar Falls, IA

Morning in Cedar Falls on Tuesday

Local time

7:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Asbury, IA

Morning in Asbury on Tuesday

Local time

7:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 56m 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 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.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.5 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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.

Driving Effort 3/10

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.

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 Cedar Falls, IA to Asbury, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Rapids along the way.

Cedar Rapids

4.9 mi in | ~7m | via IA 27

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.5 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: 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Asbury, 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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