Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Cedar Falls, IA to Sioux Center, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
237.1 mi
382 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Falls, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Sioux Center, IA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Cedar Falls to Sioux Center is 237.1 miles and takes about 4h 52m via US 20, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving across the Midwest region. It's primarily a highway drive, so expect a fairly straightforward trip with minimal slowdowns. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll have plenty of flexibility to start when you like, though an early departure will give you more time upon arrival. This route is best suited for those who prefer to cover ground efficiently.
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
118.5 miles from Cedar Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 175.4 mi | 3h 23m |
| State Highway 140 | 15.1 mi | 20m |
| 450th Street | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| County Road L14 | 7 mi | 9m |
| US 75 | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| Lee Avenue | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| University Avenue | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| Kiwi Avenue | 5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 175.4 mi, about 3h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls, IA and Sioux Center, 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
175 mi
·
3 hr 23 min
·
US 20
13
Turn right onto L21
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lee Avenue
14
Continue on Shamrock Avenue
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Shamrock Avenue
15
Turn left onto C66
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
320th Street
16
Turn right onto IA 140
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 140
17
Continue on L14
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road L14
18
Continue on L14
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Kiwi Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
460th Street
20
Continue on IA 10
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 10
21
Continue on IA 10
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Kennedy Avenue
22
Turn left onto IA 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
450th Street
23
Enter roundabout onto 450th Street
81 ft
·
4 sec
·
450th Street
24
Continue on 450th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
450th Street
25
Continue on IA 10
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street Southeast
26
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Highway 10 West
27
Continue on IA 10
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
450th Street
28
Turn right onto US 75
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
US 75
29
Arrive at destination
US 75
Trip Plan
Given this drive is under 5 hours, it's easily a same-day trip. Consider leaving Cedar Falls in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential stops along the way. The route includes just one recommended stop, so you can plan that strategically or skip it if you're making good time. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's wise to fill up before you leave Cedar Falls or at a point where fuel prices are favorable, as you'll be on US 20 for the majority of the journey. Be aware that the last segment of the drive will be on surface roads.
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 118.5 miles from Cedar Falls, IA, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.4 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.5 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux Center, 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 237.1 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 20 for about 175.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.5 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 175.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Holstein Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 219.4 — 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
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
219.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
IA 10 / 460th Street
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10 / 460th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.01 one way
$70.03 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $38.65 | $77.31 |
| premium | $4.72 | $44.02 | $88.04 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $44.77 | $89.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.90 | $11.38 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.19 | $15.17 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Origin
Cedar Falls, IA
Late night in Cedar Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
N 9 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sioux Center, IA
Late night in Sioux Center on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
ENE 10 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 52m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on US 20, which accounts for 83% of this drive. The longest continuous stretch on this highway covers 175.4 miles. After that, you'll transition to State Highway 140 and then 450th Street for the final leg. The highway portion means you'll likely encounter more consistent speeds and fewer intersections for a significant part of the trip. Expect a more rural cruising feel once you leave the main highway.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.4 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and State Highway 140. 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 4h 52m drive. You will face about 13 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 0.8 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,468 ft
878 ft
Total Climb
818 ft
Total Descent
233 ft
Highest Point
1,468 ft
~203.2 mi in
Elevation Range
590 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Cedar Falls, IA
Full guide →Founded 1845
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...
Arriving in Sioux Center, IA
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 237.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.4 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.8 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Sioux Center, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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