How far is Estherville, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?
The driving distance from Estherville, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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 03h 02m.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Estherville and Cedar Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estherville and Cedar Falls.
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1
Start on South 9th Street
45 m · 8 sec · South 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Central Avenue
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3
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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4
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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5
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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6
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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7
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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8
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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9
Continue on State Highway 9
6.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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10
Continue on 1st Avenue West
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue West
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11
Continue on State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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12
Turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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13
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto 225th Avenue
75 m · 4 sec · 225th Avenue
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15
Continue on 230th Avenue
5.1 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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17
Continue on 350th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · 350th Street
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18
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · Evergreen Avenue
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19
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
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20
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
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21
Continue on State Highway 9
1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 9
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22
Take the ramp right
1988 ft · 49 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
12.2 mi · 13 min · Avenue of the Saints
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
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25
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
82.3 mi · 1 hr 35 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Waterloo Road, 18th Street
1631 ft · 45 sec
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27
Turn right onto Waterloo Road
1768 ft · 35 sec · Waterloo Road
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
5 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Estherville and Cedar Falls.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 18 East
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
82.3 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Sunny leaving Estherville and Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Estherville to Cedar Falls?
The road trip is about 179.4 miles (288.7 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Estherville and 90 miles from Cedar Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.4 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 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.87 one way or $47.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Estherville and Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Estherville and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 134.96 mi (217.19 km).
#1 Estherville
City in Iowa
| Population | 5,587 |
| Coordinates | 43.4016300, -94.8327600 |
| Altitude | 395 |
| 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: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.87 | $47.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.92 | $53.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.46 | $58.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.57 | $67.15 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.