How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?

The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 95.4 miles (153.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 54m 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
95.36 mi
01h 57m
Flight
87.76 mi
141.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
87.76 mi
Kilometers
141.23 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.36 mi
Kilometers
153.46 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 01h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 19, 8:49 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Falls
Sun, Apr 19, 10:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Falls
2026-04-19T06:52
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 19, 8:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Falls
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
Owasa
IA

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

From Cedar Falls
47.5 mi
00h 58m
To Fort Dodge
47.8 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Fort Dodge.

  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

    82.3 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1724 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Nelson Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Nelson Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Quail Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Quail Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    2515 ft · 48 sec · 220th Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Mill Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mill Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Paragon Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on South 32nd Street

    2798 ft · 1 min · South 32nd Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 8th Avenue South

    1.6 km · 2 min · 8th Avenue South

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grundy Road
83.8 mi · 88%
University Avenue
5.29 mi · 6%
Main Street
1.04 mi · 1%
8th Avenue South
1 mi · 1%
Mill Road
0.97 mi · 1%
Quail Avenue
0.81 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Grundy Road

Merge slight left

82.3 mi · 01h 35m

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
01h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.7 mi
87.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
00h 58m from Cedar Falls
Leave By
2:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cedar Falls and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 95.4 miles (153.5 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.5 miles from Cedar Falls and 47.8 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 2:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.71 one way or $25.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cedar Falls and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 87.76 mi (141.23 km).

Cedar Falls

#1 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population40,231
Coordinates42.5277600, -92.4454700
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Fort Dodge

#2 Fort Dodge

City in Iowa

Population23,906
Coordinates42.4974700, -94.1680200
Altitude340
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Falls (-92.44547, 42.52776)
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 153 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.37 gal
12.74 L · about $12.71
Round trip
$25.42
6.74 gal · 25.48 L
Estimated CO2
29.9 kg one way
Round trip: 59.9 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.71 $25.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.33 $28.67
Premium $4.65 $15.68 $31.37
Diesel $5.30 $17.87 $35.75

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 Fort Dodge. The current time is 06:52:13.

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.