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

The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Indianola, IA is about 122 miles (196.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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
121.99 mi
02h 42m
Flight
98.98 mi
159.29 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
98.98 mi
Kilometers
159.29 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
121.99 mi
Kilometers
196.33 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 02h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Indianola
Sun, Apr 19, 2:10 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Falls
Sun, Apr 19, 4:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Falls
2026-04-18T23:28
Arrive Indianola
Sun, Apr 19, 2:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:06 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
Marshalltown
IA

City in Marshal County, Iowa

From Cedar Falls
61 mi
01h 21m
To Indianola
61 mi
01h 21m

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
52°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center

    2083 ft · 59 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  16. 16

    Turn sharp left onto County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  17. 17

    Continue on M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right

    36.4 mi · 43 min

  24. 24

    Continue on Hubbell Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Hubbell Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left

    2686 ft · 1 min

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    12.1 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South, US 69 South: Indianola

    10.7 mi · 17 min

  28. 28

    Turn left onto East 2nd Avenue

    89 m · 7 sec · East 2nd Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn right

    24 m · 6 sec

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 13%
Grundy Road
12.5 mi · 10%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.1 mi · 10%
US 65 South
10.7 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

36.4 mi · 00h 43m

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
02h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23 mi
99 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
01h 21m from Cedar Falls
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122 miles (196.3 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Marshalltown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Cedar Falls and 61 miles from Indianola.

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

The direct path is about 99 miles (159.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Indianola. Straight-line distance: 98.98 mi (159.29 km).

Cedar Falls

#1 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Indianola

City in Mississippi

Population16,072
Coordinates41.3580500, -93.5574400
Altitude295
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Falls (-92.44547, 42.52776)
End: Indianola (-93.55744, 41.35805)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 196 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.31 gal
16.3 L · about $16.25
Round trip
$32.51
8.62 gal · 32.6 L
Estimated CO2
38.3 kg one way
Round trip: 76.6 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.25 $32.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.33 $36.66
Premium $4.65 $20.06 $40.12
Diesel $5.30 $22.86 $45.72

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 Indianola. The current time is 23:28:49.

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.