This 144.5-mile drive from Eldridge, IA to Cedar Falls, IA will take you approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. Designed for a single day, this route is best tackled with a modest fuel budget of around $22. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, experiencing a connected series of turns rather than a straight shot. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, expect a consistent feel throughout your journey. This trip offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
72.3 miles from Eldridge, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
77.7 mi
1h 26m
US 61
59.4 mi
1h 5m
IA 58
4 mi
5m
East Leclaire Road
0.6 mi
1m
Waterloo Road
0.4 mi
<1m
IA 27
0.3 mi
<1m
North 1st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Donahue Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eldridge, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
73 ft·5 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Donahue Street
312 ft·12 sec·Donahue Street
3
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·North 1st Street
4
Turn left onto East Leclaire Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Leclaire Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
6
Merge onto US 61
3.4 mi·3 min·US 61
7
Take the exit onto US 61
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 61
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
10
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
6.9 mi·7 min·Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit onto IA 27
0.3 mi·35 sec·IA 27
Toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
13
Keep slight left at fork
260 ft·8 sec
14
Turn right onto IA 58
4.0 mi·5 min·IA 58
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 184Toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road
16
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
Toward Waterloo Road
17
Turn left onto Waterloo Road
0.4 mi·45 sec·Waterloo Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
15 ft·0 sec·Main Street
19
Continue on Main Street
21 ft·0 sec·Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 13 minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With no long highway stretches, you'll have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed, though this route has no designated stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local driving can sometimes consume more than expected, and your estimated cost is $22. A good tip for this particular drive is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of local roads, such as Donahue Street and North 1st Street, before you leave to minimize any unexpected detours.
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 72.3 miles from Eldridge, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Falls, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eldridge, 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 Eldridge, IA
This is one driving day of about 144.5 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Eldridge, 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 77.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 143.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Donahue Street
Turn right onto Donahue Street
Navigation decision point
5
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
139.4 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|IA 27
Take the exit onto IA 27 toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
6
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 184
Toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.59 one way
$45.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.80
$49.61
premium
$4.89
$27.81
$55.62
diesel
$5.61
$31.90
$63.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.17
$6.94
Efficient EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
EV Truck/SUV
57.8
0
$20.23
$9.25
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Eldridge, IA
Night
in Eldridge on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Falls, IA
Night
in Cedar Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway miles to speak of. You'll be actively navigating through towns and rural areas, with your journey largely defined by sections of Donahue Street, North 1st Street, and East Leclaire Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't a significant factor here, as the constant adjustments keep you engaged. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more intimate connection with the landscape as you transition between different local roadways.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Donahue Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.5 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 (Donahue Street): Navigation decision point; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Eldridge, IA to Cedar Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Waterloo
61.1 mi in|~1h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 144.5 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 (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.7 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cedar Falls, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Donahue Street): Navigation decision point; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Falls, IA before heading back.
