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

The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Sheldon, IA is about 227.2 miles (365.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
227.25 mi
04h 42m
Flight
178.54 mi
287.33 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cedar Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.54 mi
Kilometers
287.33 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
227.25 mi
Kilometers
365.72 km
Drive Time
04h 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 04h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 5:53 AM CDT
Return by in Cedar Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 10:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cedar Falls
2026-04-23T01:11
Arrive Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 5:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cedar Falls
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Rockwell City
IA

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

From Cedar Falls
113.4 mi
02h 21m
To Sheldon
113.8 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    147 mi · 2 hr 50 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  18. 18

    Continue on V Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto 530th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  22. 22

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  24. 24

    Continue on 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  30. 30

    Continue on 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Log Avenue

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  32. 32

    Turn right

    7.1 mi · 8 min

  33. 33

    Take the exit slight right toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue

    1660 ft · 44 sec

  34. 34

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn right onto 9th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
36 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grundy Road
148 mi · 65%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 4%
State Highway 3
8.82 mi · 4%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 3%
D Avenue
5.75 mi · 3%
Log Avenue
5.51 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Grundy Road

Merge slight left

147 mi · 02h 50m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.7 mi
178.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rockwell City
02h 21m from Cedar Falls
Leave By
7:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Falls and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 227.2 miles (365.7 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?

Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.4 miles from Cedar Falls and 113.8 miles from Sheldon.

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

The direct path is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.7 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 7:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.24 one way or $60.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Falls and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Sheldon. Straight-line distance: 178.54 mi (287.33 km).

Cedar Falls

#1 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Sheldon

City in Iowa, United States

Population5,071
Coordinates43.1810900, -95.8561300
Altitude435
CountryUnited States
Start: Cedar Falls (-92.44547, 42.52776)
End: Sheldon (-95.85613, 43.18109)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 366 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.02 gal
30.35 L · about $30.24
Round trip
$60.49
16.04 gal · 60.7 L
Estimated CO2
71.3 kg one way
Round trip: 142.5 kg / 314 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.24 $60.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.11 $68.22
Premium $4.65 $37.33 $74.65
Diesel $5.30 $42.54 $85.08

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

There is no time difference between Cedar Falls and Sheldon. The current time is 01:11:24.

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.