How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Grinnell, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Grinnell, IA is about 68.4 miles (110 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56 miles (90.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Tama County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and Grinnell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Grinnell.
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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
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
24 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
993 ft · 22 sec · Main Street
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7
Turn right onto University Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
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8
Turn left onto Hudson Road
7.9 mi · 12 min · Hudson Road
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9
Turn right onto Sergeant Road
2203 ft · 41 sec · Sergeant Road
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10
Continue on South Hudson Road
6.4 mi · 9 min · South Hudson Road
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11
Continue on Q Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Q Avenue
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12
Continue on County Road D65
4.4 mi · 6 min · County Road D65
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13
Continue on North Main Street
7.6 mi · 12 min · North Main Street
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14
Turn left onto J Avenue
11.8 mi · 17 min · J Avenue
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15
Continue on North County Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · North County Road
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16
Continue on Harding Street
2225 ft · 43 sec · Harding Street
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17
Turn left onto West 13th Street
1334 ft · 25 sec · West 13th Street
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18
Turn right onto State Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Street
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19
Continue on J Avenue
6.3 mi · 9 min · J Avenue
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20
Continue on 100th Street
8 mi · 12 min · 100th Street
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21
Turn right onto 380th Avenue
5.5 mi · 7 min · 380th Avenue
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22
Continue on 6th Avenue
2927 ft · 58 sec · 6th Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Penrose Street
1056 ft · 38 sec · Penrose Street
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24
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 4th Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Park Street
21 m · 3 sec · Park Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and Grinnell.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
J Avenue
Turn left onto J Avenue
11.8 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Falls and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Grinnell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Grinnell?
The road trip is about 68.4 miles (110 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Garwin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.2 miles from Cedar Falls and 34.2 miles from Grinnell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56 miles (90.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 3:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.09 one way or $18.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Falls and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Grinnell.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Grinnell. Straight-line distance: 56.04 mi (90.19 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 Grinnell
City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 9,096 |
| Coordinates | 41.7430500, -92.7224100 |
| Altitude | 309 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grinnell (-92.72241, 41.74305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 110 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.09 | $18.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.25 | $20.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.22 | $22.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.