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

The driving distance from Johnston, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87.2 miles (140.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
109.48 mi
01h 58m
Flight
87.23 mi
140.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Johnston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
87.23 mi
Kilometers
140.38 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.48 mi
Kilometers
176.19 km
Drive Time
01h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Thu, May 7, 1:28 PM CDT
Return by in Johnston
Thu, May 7, 3:27 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Johnston
2026-05-07T11:30
Arrive Cedar Falls
Thu, May 7, 1:28 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Johnston
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Albion
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa

From Johnston
54.7 mi
00h 59m
To Cedar Falls
54.8 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph WSW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Merle Hay Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Merle Hay Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east

    1746 ft · 43 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    4 mi · 5 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 51 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    3105 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  17. 17

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  19. 19

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    11.2 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  23. 23

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · University Avenue

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · University Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1027 ft · 21 sec · Main Street

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    24 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  29. 29

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    23 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  30. 30

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
31 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 32%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 15%
US 20 East
11.7 mi · 11%
I-35 north
10.1 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 6%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 mi · 00h 42m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.3 mi
87.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
00h 59m from Johnston
Leave By
2:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Johnston 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 Johnston to Cedar Falls?

The road trip is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.7 miles from Johnston and 54.8 miles from Cedar Falls.

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

The direct path is about 87.2 miles (140.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 2:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.56 one way or $29.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Johnston and Mostly Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Johnston and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 87.23 mi (140.38 km).

Johnston

#1 Johnston

City in Iowa, United States

Population23,092
Coordinates41.6730400, -93.6977200
Altitude253
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: Merle Hay Road (-93.697705, 41.67304)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.86 gal
14.62 L · about $14.56
Round trip
$29.11
7.72 gal · 29.24 L
Estimated CO2
34.3 kg one way
Round trip: 68.6 kg / 151 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.56 $29.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.42 $32.83
Premium $4.65 $17.96 $35.93
Diesel $5.30 $20.47 $40.95

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Johnston and Cedar Falls. The current time is 11:30:02.

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.