How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Fort Madison, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (231 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 23m.
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 Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and Fort Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Fort Madison.
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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 2 toward Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1975 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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5
Turn left onto West 18th Street
12 m · 3 sec · West 18th Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn straight onto East 18th Street
854 ft · 23 sec · East 18th Street
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7
Take the ramp right toward IA 27 south, IA 58 south
1251 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
4.1 mi · 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Turn left onto US 20 East, IA 27 South: Dubuque, Cedar Rapids
12.8 mi · 15 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
115.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints
25.8 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
2195 ft · 59 sec
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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14
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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15
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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16
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L
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17
Turn left onto 18th Street
1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street
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18
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H
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19
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I
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20
Turn left
19 m · 4 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and Fort Madison.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
116 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Cedar Falls and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Fort Madison?
The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Coralville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Cedar Falls and 86.6 miles from Fort Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.5 miles (231 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Cedar Falls and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Coralville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coralville.
Mount Pleasant
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 143.56 mi (231.04 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 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.04 | $46.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.99 | $51.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.44 | $56.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.