How far is Burlington, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?

The driving distance from Burlington, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.3 miles (221 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
164.8 mi
02h 35m
Flight
137.32 mi
220.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Burlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.32 mi
Kilometers
220.99 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
164.8 mi
Kilometers
265.22 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 4:30 AM CDT
Return by in Burlington
Sat, Apr 18, 7:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-04-18T01:54
Arrive Cedar Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 4:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Burlington
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tiffin
IA

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

From Burlington
82.3 mi
01h 17m
To Cedar Falls
82.5 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Cedar Falls.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Cedar Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on South Central Avenue

    2288 ft · 50 sec · South Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on North Central Avenue

    999 ft · 27 sec · North Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward US 34 West, IA 163 West

    1573 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    26.2 mi · 31 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    123 mi · 2 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Avenue of the Saints

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls

    1460 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    79 m · 9 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    4 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road

    1305 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Waterloo Road

    909 ft · 28 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Waterloo Road

    2180 ft · 46 sec · Waterloo Road

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street

    5 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Cedar Falls.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
132 mi · 80%
US 34 West
26.5 mi · 16%
US 218
0.79 mi
Waterloo Road
0.59 mi
South Central Avenue
0.43 mi
IA 27
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

123 mi · 02h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.5 mi
137.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tiffin
01h 17m from Burlington
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Burlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Cedar Falls?

The road trip is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km) and usually takes 02h 35m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tiffin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Burlington and 82.5 miles from Cedar Falls.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 137.3 miles (221 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.91 one way or $43.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Burlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Tiffin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tiffin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tiffin.

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

82 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

93 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

95 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

99 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 137.32 mi (220.99 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

City in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States

Population24,516
Coordinates40.8075400, -91.1129200
Altitude185
CountryUnited States
Cedar Falls

#2 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population40,231
Coordinates42.5277600, -92.4454700
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Start: South Central Avenue (-91.112886, 40.807541)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 265 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.81 gal
22.01 L · about $21.91
Round trip
$43.82
11.62 gal · 44.02 L
Estimated CO2
51.6 kg one way
Round trip: 103.3 kg / 228 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.91 $43.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.71 $49.42
Premium $4.65 $27.04 $54.08
Diesel $5.30 $30.82 $61.63

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Burlington and Cedar Falls. The current time is 01:54:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.