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

The driving distance from Denison, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 152.9 miles (246 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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
184.41 mi
03h 00m
Flight
152.88 mi
246.03 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Denison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.88 mi
Kilometers
246.03 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
184.41 mi
Kilometers
296.78 km
Drive Time
03h 00m

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 03h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 10:26 PM CDT
Return by in Denison
Sun, Apr 19, 1:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Denison
2026-04-18T19:26
Arrive Cedar Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 10:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Denison
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
Otho
IA

Human settlement in Webster County, Iowa, United States of America

From Denison
92.1 mi
01h 30m
To Cedar Falls
92.3 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    10 m · 7 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue North

    75 m · 11 sec · 1st Avenue North

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    1.1 km · 2 min · Avenue C

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 39

    16.9 mi · 23 min · State Highway 39

  5. 5

    Continue on 400th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Fox Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on South Des Moines Street

    2648 ft · 1 min · South Des Moines Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Fox Avenue

    11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 220th Street

    140.8 mi · 2 hr 43 min · 220th Street

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  12. 12

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · University Avenue

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · University Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1027 ft · 21 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    24 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    23 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
0 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
141 mi · 76%
Fox Avenue
17.2 mi · 9%
State Highway 39
16.9 mi · 9%
University Avenue
5.28 mi · 3%
Main Street
1.03 mi · 1%
Grundy Road
0.99 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Turn right onto 220th Street

141 mi · 02h 43m

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
03h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
152.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otho
01h 30m from Denison
Leave By
10:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 184.4 miles (296.8 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?

Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.1 miles from Denison and 92.3 miles from Cedar Falls.

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

The direct path is about 152.9 miles (246 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.55 one way or $49.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Denison and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 152.88 mi (246.03 km).

Denison

#1 Denison

City in Iowa, United States

Population8,249
Coordinates42.0177700, -95.3552800
Altitude391
CountryUnited States
Cedar Falls

#2 Cedar Falls

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population40,231
Coordinates42.5277600, -92.4454700
Altitude268
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-95.355248, 42.01777)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 297 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.51 gal
24.63 L · about $24.55
Round trip
$49.10
13.02 gal · 49.26 L
Estimated CO2
57.9 kg one way
Round trip: 115.7 kg / 255 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.55 $49.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.69 $55.37
Premium $4.65 $30.30 $60.60
Diesel $5.30 $34.53 $69.06

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 Denison and Cedar Falls. The current time is 19:26:17.

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.