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

The driving distance from Oelwein, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
38.46 mi
00h 51m
Flight
28.86 mi
46.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oelwein.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.86 mi
Kilometers
46.45 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.46 mi
Kilometers
61.9 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 00h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Wed, Apr 22, 11:29 PM CDT
Return by in Oelwein
Thu, Apr 23, 12:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oelwein
2026-04-22T22:37
Arrive Cedar Falls
Wed, Apr 22, 11:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oelwein
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
Dunkerton
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America

From Oelwein
18.5 mi
00h 25m
To Cedar Falls
19.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SE
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Frederick Avenue

    2.2 mi · 4 min · South Frederick Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 100th Street

    5.7 mi · 8 min · 100th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 102nd Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · 102nd Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Grove Street

    2744 ft · 48 sec · Grove Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 4th Street South

    123 m · 12 sec · 4th Street South

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Main Street East

    2641 ft · 50 sec · Main Street East

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Walnut Street South

    107 m · 8 sec · Walnut Street South

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Fairbank Street

    1223 ft · 26 sec · Fairbank Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 102nd Street

    1 mi · 1 min · 102nd Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Fairbank Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Fairbank Road

  11. 11

    Continue on North Canfield Road

    4 mi · 6 min · North Canfield Road

  12. 12

    Continue on North Canfield Street

    2591 ft · 46 sec · North Canfield Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Dunkerton Street

    2693 ft · 54 sec · West Dunkerton Street

  14. 14

    Continue on East Dunkerton Road

    8.5 mi · 12 min · East Dunkerton Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Logan Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Logan Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Airline Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard

  18. 18

    Take the ramp right toward US 218 north

    2788 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  20. 20

    Continue on 1st Street

    3208 ft · 1 min · 1st Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Main Street

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Main Street

    73 m · 5 sec · Main Street

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Oelwein 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
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
62.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Dunkerton Road
8.5 mi · 22%
100th Street
5.69 mi · 15%
Fairbank Road
4.12 mi · 11%
North Canfield Road
3.97 mi · 10%
West Airline Highway
2.95 mi · 8%
South Frederick Avenue
2.2 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

East Dunkerton Road

Continue on East Dunkerton Road

8.5 mi · 00h 12m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
28.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dunkerton
00h 25m from Oelwein
Leave By
4:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Oelwein 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 Oelwein to Cedar Falls?

The road trip is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Dunkerton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Oelwein and 19.9 miles from Cedar Falls.

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

The direct path is about 28.9 miles (46.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 4:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Oelwein and Sunny near Cedar Falls.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oelwein and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 28.86 mi (46.45 km).

Oelwein

#1 Oelwein

City in Fayette County, Iowa, United States of America

Population5,789
Coordinates42.6733200, -91.9135000
Altitude319
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: South Frederick Avenue (-91.913411, 42.673322)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.36 gal
5.14 L · about $5.13
Round trip
$10.26
2.72 gal · 10.28 L
Estimated CO2
12.1 kg one way
Round trip: 24.2 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.13 $10.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.78 $11.57
Premium $4.65 $6.33 $12.66
Diesel $5.30 $7.21 $14.43

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Oelwein and Cedar Falls. The current time is 22:37:18.

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.