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

The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Denison, IA is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.9 miles (246 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
184.4 mi
03h 45m
Flight
152.88 mi
246.03 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.88 mi
Kilometers
246.03 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.4 mi
Kilometers
296.77 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 03h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Denison
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Falls
Sun, Apr 19, 4:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Falls
2026-04-18T21:04
Arrive Denison
Sun, Apr 19, 12:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:30 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Falls
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Otho
IA

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

From Cedar Falls
92 mi
01h 52m
To Denison
92.4 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph NW
Destination
51°F
Saturday

Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    16 m · 8 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Main Street

    19 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    32 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    24 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    993 ft · 22 sec · Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · University Avenue

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue

    38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Grundy Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    2235 ft · 54 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    140.8 mi · 2 hr 43 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Fox Avenue

    11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Des Moines Street

    2648 ft · 1 min · Des Moines Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Fox Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on 400th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 39

    16.9 mi · 23 min · State Highway 39

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Avenue C

    1.1 km · 2 min · Avenue C

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue North

    75 m · 13 sec · 1st Avenue North

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    10 m · 2 sec · North Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grundy Road
142 mi · 77%
Fox Avenue
17.2 mi · 9%
State Highway 39
16.9 mi · 9%
University Avenue
5.29 mi · 3%
Main Street
1.04 mi · 1%
400th Street
0.74 mi
Longest Stretch

Grundy Road

Merge slight left

141 mi · 02h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
152.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otho
01h 52m from Cedar Falls
Leave By
9:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km) and usually takes 03h 45m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Cedar Falls and 92.4 miles from Denison.

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

The direct path is about 152.9 miles (246 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.55 one way or $49.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Denison. Straight-line distance: 152.88 mi (246.03 km).

Cedar Falls

#1 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population40,231
Coordinates42.5277600, -92.4454700
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Denison

#2 Denison

City in Iowa, United States

Population8,249
Coordinates42.0177700, -95.3552800
Altitude391
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Falls (-92.44547, 42.52776)
End: Denison (-95.35528, 42.01777)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 297 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.51 gal
24.63 L · about $24.55
Round trip
$49.10
13.02 gal · 49.26 L
Estimated CO2
57.9 kg one way
Round trip: 115.7 kg / 255 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.55 $49.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.69 $55.37
Premium $4.65 $30.30 $60.60
Diesel $5.30 $34.53 $69.06

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Cedar Falls and Denison. The current time is 21:04:16.

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.