How far is Clarinda, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?
The driving distance from Clarinda, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 253.3 miles (407.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 182.1 miles (293.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m 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 04h 01m.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clarinda and Cedar Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarinda and Cedar Falls.
-
1
Start on the route
11 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn right onto North 16th Street
59 m · 9 sec · North 16th Street
-
3
Turn left onto East Washington Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East Washington Street
-
4
Continue on 210 Street
1.5 km · 2 min · 210 Street
-
5
Turn left
46.4 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
6
Turn right onto East 7th Street
2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street
-
7
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
-
8
Take the exit right
62 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
10
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
-
12
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
-
13
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
-
14
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
-
15
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
-
16
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
-
17
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
-
19
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
-
20
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
-
21
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
-
22
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
-
23
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
-
24
Merge slight left
11.2 mi · 13 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
-
26
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
-
27
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
-
28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · University Avenue
-
29
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · University Avenue
-
30
Turn left onto Main Street
1027 ft · 21 sec · Main Street
-
31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
24 m · 2 sec · Main Street
-
32
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
-
33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
23 m · 2 sec · Main Street
-
34
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clarinda and Cedar Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
650th Street
Take the exit right
62 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Partly Cloudy leaving Clarinda and Chance Rain Showers near Cedar Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clarinda to Cedar Falls?
The road trip is about 253.3 miles (407.7 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.5 miles from Clarinda and 135.8 miles from Cedar Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 182.1 miles (293.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.2 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.71 one way or $67.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Clarinda and Chance Rain Showers near Cedar Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
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 Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clarinda and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 182.15 mi (293.14 km).
#1 Clarinda
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,366 |
| Coordinates | 40.7398100, -95.0380000 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cedar Falls
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5277600, -92.4454700 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 408 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.71 | $67.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.02 | $76.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.61 | $83.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.42 | $94.84 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.