Cedar Falls to Glenwood is 252.8 miles and takes about 5h via I 80 and IA 330, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.4 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
124.6 mi
2h 14m
IA 330
35.9 mi
42m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
US 65
13 mi
15m
I 29
12 mi
12m
US 20
11.3 mi
13m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 124.6 mi, about 2h 14m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,197 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Glenwood, 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
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
78 ft·1 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on Main Street
0.2 mi·21 sec·Main Street
7
Turn right onto University Avenue
1.7 mi·2 min·University Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft·2 sec·University Avenue
9
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
10
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 20
11 mi·13 min·US 20
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
14
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·N Avenue
15
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
16
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
17
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
19
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
20
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
21
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
23
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi·42 min·IA 330
24
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
23 mi·25 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
28
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 29 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 29
12 mi·12 min·I 29
30
Take the exit onto US 275
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 275
Toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 275
0.7 mi·1 min·US 275
32
Merge onto US 34; US 275
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 34
33
Turn left onto Hilman Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Hilman Road
34
Continue on Sharp Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Sharp Street
35
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
152 ft·8 sec·North Walnut Street
36
Turn right
225 ft·16 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Consider leaving Cedar Falls mid-morning to arrive in Glenwood in the late afternoon, avoiding early morning traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a stop at one of the many service areas along I 80. Since this is a relatively short drive without any particularly challenging segments, you have flexibility in your stopping schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126.4 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.6 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 56 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.4 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glenwood, 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 252.8 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 80 for about 124.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 234.4 — 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
7
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
115.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
210.9 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
7
234.4 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.17 one way
$84.34 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$46.01
$92.02
premium
$5.25
$52.28
$104.56
diesel
$6.28
$62.46
$124.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.54
$12.13
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.12
$10.11
EV Truck/SUV
101.1
1
$35.39
$16.18
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Morning
in Cedar Falls on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
S 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Glenwood, IA
Morning
in Glenwood on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 6 to 9 mph3% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 79% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 124.6 miles along I 80. You'll transition from interstate cruising to surface roads around Sanford Avenue. Expect a lot of highway driving with frequent exits and entrances for much of this trip.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.6 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 330. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 252.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 96.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,411 ft826 ft
Total Climb
856 ft
Total Descent
717 ft
Highest Point
1,411 ft
~162.5 mi in
Elevation Range
585 ft
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 Glenwood, IA, road signs point toward Grundy Center and Omaha Nebraska.
Cedar Falls is home to University of Northern Iowa, the third-largest public university in the state of Iowa. It is part of a larger metropolitan area that also includes the cities of Waterloo, Hudson, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, and Raymond. The Cedar River bisects the community from west to east.
Top landmarks
•Cotton Theatre — theater in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States
•Cedar Falls Downtown Historic District — nationally recognized historic district located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United Sta...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 252.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.6 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Glenwood, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 96.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Glenwood, IA before the return drive.
