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

The driving distance from Muscatine, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 130.2 miles (209.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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
130.26 mi
02h 07m
Flight
104.87 mi
168.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Muscatine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.87 mi
Kilometers
168.78 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.26 mi
Kilometers
209.64 km
Drive Time
02h 07m

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 02h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Thu, Apr 30, 8:36 PM CDT
Return by in Muscatine
Thu, Apr 30, 10:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Muscatine
2026-04-30T18:28
Arrive Cedar Falls
Thu, Apr 30, 8:36 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Muscatine
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
Cedar Rapids
IA

The second most populous city in Iowa.

From Muscatine
65.1 mi
01h 03m
To Cedar Falls
65.2 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Walnut Street

    48 m · 11 sec · Walnut Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue

    101 m · 10 sec · Mulberry Avenue

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East 2nd Street

    59 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto East 2nd Street

    1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Park Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Park Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 38

    7.6 mi · 10 min · State Highway 38

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    4.9 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight

    1468 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    30.9 mi · 34 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Avenue of the Saints

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls

    1460 ft · 36 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    79 m · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    4 mi · 5 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road

    1305 ft · 32 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Waterloo Road

    909 ft · 28 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Waterloo Road

    2180 ft · 46 sec · Waterloo Road

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street

    5 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscatine 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
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
77.7 mi · 60%
State Highway 38
43.7 mi · 34%
Park Avenue
1.99 mi · 2%
I 380
0.96 mi · 1%
East 2nd Street
0.67 mi · 1%
Waterloo Road
0.59 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

70.8 mi · 01h 19m

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
02h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.3 mi
104.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cedar Rapids
01h 03m from Muscatine
Leave By
2:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Muscatine and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 130.2 miles (209.6 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?

Cedar Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.1 miles from Muscatine and 65.2 miles from Cedar Falls.

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

The direct path is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 2:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.35 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Muscatine and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Cedar Rapids

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cedar Rapids, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cedar Rapids.

BUS

Davenport, Iowa

104 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

107 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
BUS

Moline, Illinois

113 mi away
1200 River Drive
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

116 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Muscatine and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 104.87 mi (168.78 km).

Muscatine

#1 Muscatine

City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa

Population23,523
Coordinates41.4244700, -91.0432100
Altitude177
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: Walnut Street (-91.04364, 41.424241)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.4 L · about $17.35
Round trip
$34.69
9.2 gal · 34.8 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.35 $34.69
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.56 $39.13
Premium $4.65 $21.41 $42.82
Diesel $5.30 $24.40 $48.80

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Muscatine and Cedar Falls. The current time is 18:28:26.

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.