How far is Decorah, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?
The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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 28m.
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.
Township in Chickasaw County, Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decorah and Cedar Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decorah and Cedar Falls.
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1
Start on East Main Street
120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Winnebago Street
104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street
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3
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Turn left onto South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Short Street
2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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6
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2194 ft · 46 sec · State Highway 9
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7
Turn left
9.6 mi · 14 min
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8
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street
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9
Turn left onto Charles Street
1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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11
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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12
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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13
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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14
Continue on State Highway 24
12.6 mi · 18 min · State Highway 24
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15
Turn left onto County Highway V56
133 m · 9 sec · County Highway V56
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16
Continue on Union Avenue
7.1 mi · 10 min · Union Avenue
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17
Turn right onto 270th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 270th Street
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18
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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19
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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20
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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22
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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23
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
-
24
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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25
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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26
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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27
Continue on 1st Street
3208 ft · 1 min · 1st Street
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28
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Main Street
73 m · 5 sec · Main Street
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30
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decorah and Cedar Falls.
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.
McCloud Avenue
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah and Mostly Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decorah to Cedar Falls?
The road trip is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Fredericksburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.5 miles from Decorah and 41.1 miles from Cedar Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 63.1 miles (101.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 3:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.86 one way or $21.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Mostly Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 63.13 mi (101.6 km).
#1 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 131 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.86 | $21.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.25 | $24.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.40 | $26.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.28 | $30.55 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.