Connecting Knoxville to Cedar Falls requires a 114.7-mile journey through the heart of Iowa. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $17, it is an economical route for a quick getaway between these two Midwest cities. Since the path avoids major interstates entirely, you should plan for a slower, more deliberate pace rather than a high-speed sprint. Whether you are visiting for business or leisure, this drive offers a straightforward transit across the state.
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
56.6 miles from Knoxville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 14
43.1 mi
1h 3m
Sanford Avenue
19.8 mi
27m
US 20
11.2 mi
12m
Reed Avenue
9 mi
13m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
University Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
N Avenue
4.4 mi
6m
South Center Street
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 14
— 43.1 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on IA 14
1.1 mi·1 min·North Lincoln Street
2
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
3
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·South Monroe Street
4
Continue on IA 14
21 mi·30 min·State Highway 14
5
Continue on IA 14
7.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 14
6
Continue on IA 14
2.9 mi·4 min·State Highway 14
7
Continue on IA 14
1.2 mi·1 min·Reed Avenue
8
Continue on IA 14
0.5 mi·43 sec·South Main Street
9
Continue on IA 14
7.7 mi·11 min·Reed Avenue
10
Continue on IA 14
2.8 mi·4 min·South Center Street
11
Turn right onto IA 14
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Anson Street
12
Turn left onto IA 14
2.0 mi·3 min·South 3rd Avenue
13
Continue on IA 14
20 mi·27 min·Sanford Avenue
14
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
15
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
16
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
17
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
18
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi·6 min·N Avenue
19
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
20
Merge onto US 20
11 mi·12 min·US 20
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
22
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
23
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
88 ft·1 sec·University Avenue
25
Continue on University Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·University Avenue
26
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Main Street
27
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
77 ft·1 sec·Main Street
28
Continue on Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
29
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
74 ft·1 sec·Main Street
30
Continue on Main Street
21 ft·0 sec·Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the local road profile, you should aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure clear visibility for the frequent turns along the route. Since the drive is just over two hours, you can easily complete it in one go, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Knoxville helps maintain that $17 budget estimate. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your departure time to avoid local traffic bottlenecks near your destination. As a specific tip for this route, keep a close eye on your GPS or navigation maps, as the transition between Highway 14 and local streets like Reed Avenue requires precise maneuvering. Taking this approach ensures a smooth, stress-free arrival in Cedar Falls.
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 56.6 miles from Knoxville, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.1 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 miles or 1h 24m 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 15m
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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, IA
This is one driving day of about 113.1 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Knoxville, 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 State Highway 14 for about 43.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.5 and 112.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
57.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|IA 14 / East Anson Street
Turn right onto IA 14 / East Anson Street
Navigation decision point
4
57.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|IA 14 / South 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto IA 14 / South 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
88.4 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
110.4 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.41
$38.83
premium
$4.89
$21.77
$43.53
diesel
$5.61
$24.97
$49.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.9
0
$11.88
$5.43
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.90
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.83
$7.24
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 16, 2026
Origin
Knoxville, IA
Night
in Knoxville on Saturday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Falls, IA
Night
in Cedar Falls on Saturday
Local time
11:27 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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 43m 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?
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, as you will navigate primarily via Highway 14, South Monroe Street, and Reed Avenue. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that keeps you engaged with frequent turns rather than monotonous highway cruising. There is no single long-stretch segment, meaning the character of the road changes regularly as you transition between local corridors. You will find yourself navigating the nuances of Iowa’s secondary road system throughout the entire 114.7-mile duration. Expect a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention on every turn.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.1 mi on State Highway 14.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 57.5 miles in near IA 14 / East Anson Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Knoxville, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is easy. At 2h 43m with 48% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.5 miles (IA 14 / East Anson Street): Navigation decision point; at 57.7 miles (IA 14 / South 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (210th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
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 Knoxville, IA to Cedar Falls, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cr D18: Cedar Falls along the way.
Cr D18: Cedar Falls
105.4 mi in|~2h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 43.1 miles on State Highway 14. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: at 57.5 miles (IA 14 / East Anson Street): Navigation decision point; at 57.7 miles (IA 14 / South 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (210th Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Falls, IA before heading back.
