Spanning 232.8 miles across the Iowa landscape, this journey from Osceola County to Cedar Falls typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire trip takes place within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is an ideal route if you prefer navigating local roads over the predictability of major interstates. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete the transition between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
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
115.2 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
147.1 mi
2h 49m
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi
19m
County Highway A30
13 mi
17m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Railroad Street
6.6 mi
9m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
University Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
470th Street
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 147.1 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Cedar Falls, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·190th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
13 mi·17 min·County Highway A30
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi·1 min·320th Street
5
Turn right onto US 59
6.0 mi·8 min·Silver Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·2 min·North Rerick Avenue
7
Continue on US 59
7.2 mi·9 min·Silver Avenue
8
Continue on US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi·5 min·470th Street
9
Turn right onto US 59
4.0 mi·5 min·Tanager Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 59
3.1 mi·4 min·Q Avenue
11
Continue on US 59
6.6 mi·9 min·Railroad Street
12
Turn left onto IA 3
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
17
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
18
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
19
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
147 mi·2 hr 49 min·220th Street
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
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though starting in the morning will help you navigate the turn-heavy sections in full daylight. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the constant navigation of local roads can be more mentally taxing than highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer service station options than a major interstate corridor. Given the $35 estimated fuel cost, it is wise to fill up before you leave Osceola County to avoid unnecessary detours. Use your GPS navigation tools diligently, as the reliance on smaller county roads makes missed turns more likely than on a standard highway route.
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 115.2 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.1 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 51 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h 34m 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 59m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 230.4 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Osceola County, 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 220th Street for about 147.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 229.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|190th Street
Turn right onto 190th Street
Navigation decision point
6
15.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip|~50m in|US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
227.6 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
229.5 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.02 one way
$68.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.56
$75.12
premium
$4.72
$42.78
$85.56
diesel
$4.80
$43.50
$87.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Osceola County, IA
Late night
in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
Cedar Falls, IA
Late night
in Cedar Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
N 9 mph4% chanceLive 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
91°F
Lake City, IA
115 mi in
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
4h 51m 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?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate commute, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a series of local roads, including 190th Street, County Highway A30, and 320th Street. The drive is distinctly turn-heavy, requiring you to stay alert and engaged with the road layout rather than setting a cruise control for hours. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on 190th Street, your pace will be dictated by the frequent transitions between these local thoroughfares. This is a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you traverse the rural Iowa grid.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.1 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near 190th Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 51m 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: at 0.3 miles (190th Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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...
The longest stretch is about 147.1 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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: at 0.3 miles (190th Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Cedar Falls, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
