How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Estherville, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Estherville, IA is about 179 miles (288 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and Estherville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Estherville.
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1
Start on Main Street
16 m · 8 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Waterloo Road
55 m · 4 sec · Waterloo Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Waterloo Road
2177 ft · 54 sec · Waterloo Road
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5
Take the ramp left toward IA 27 north, IA 58 north
1368 ft · 33 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
94.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
Take the exit slight right
2004 ft · 56 sec
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8
Turn left onto State Highway 9
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 9
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9
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
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10
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
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11
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Avenue
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12
Continue on State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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13
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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14
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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17
Continue on 1st Avenue East
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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18
Continue on State Highway 9
6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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19
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9
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20
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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21
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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22
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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23
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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24
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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25
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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26
Continue on East Central Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue
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27
Turn left onto South 9th Street
45 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and Estherville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
94.4 mi · 01h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Cedar Falls and Sunny near Estherville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Estherville?
The road trip is about 179 miles (288 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Cedar Falls and 89.6 miles from Estherville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cedar Falls and Sunny near Estherville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Estherville. Straight-line distance: 134.96 mi (217.19 km).
#1 Cedar Falls
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5277600, -92.4454700 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Estherville
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,587 |
| Coordinates | 43.4016300, -94.8327600 |
| Altitude | 395 |
| Country | United States |
End: Estherville (-94.83276, 43.40163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.