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

The driving distance from Osceola, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.6 miles (198.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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
173.47 mi
02h 39m
Flight
123.6 mi
198.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Osceola.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.6 mi
Kilometers
198.92 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.47 mi
Kilometers
279.17 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cedar Falls
Wed, Apr 15, 2:42 PM CDT
Return by in Osceola
Wed, Apr 15, 5:22 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Osceola
2026-04-15T12:02
Arrive Cedar Falls
Wed, Apr 15, 2:42 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Osceola
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
Collins
IA

City in Story County, Iowa, United States

From Osceola
77.7 mi
01h 19m
To Cedar Falls
95.8 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph SSW
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto County Road R35

    1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R35

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I-35 north: Des Moines

    1204 ft · 29 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    49.7 mi · 55 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

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

    2428 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  18. 18

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    11.2 mi · 13 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  22. 22

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · University Avenue

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · University Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1027 ft · 21 sec · Main Street

  26. 26

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    24 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  27. 27

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street

  28. 28

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    23 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  29. 29

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    6 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Osceola 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
30 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
2 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-35 north
54.5 mi · 31%
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 20%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 9%
US 20 East
11.7 mi · 7%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 4%
Marsh Avenue
5.95 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I-35 north

Merge slight left

49.7 mi · 00h 55m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.9 mi
123.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Collins
01h 19m from Osceola
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Osceola and Patchy Fog near Cedar Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?

Collins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.7 miles from Osceola and 95.8 miles from Cedar Falls.

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

The direct path is about 123.6 miles (198.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.08 one way or $46.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Osceola and Patchy Fog near Cedar Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Collins

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Collins, 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 Collins.

RAIL

Osceola

104 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Osceola and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 123.6 mi (198.92 km).

Osceola

#1 Osceola

City in Clarke County, Iowa, United States

Population5,285
Coordinates41.0338900, -93.7655000
Altitude348
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 Main Street (-93.765688, 41.033891)
End: Main Street (-92.44555, 42.52776)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.12 gal
23.17 L · about $23.08
Round trip
$46.16
12.24 gal · 46.34 L
Estimated CO2
54.4 kg one way
Round trip: 108.8 kg / 240 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.08 $46.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.03 $52.06
Premium $4.65 $28.48 $56.96
Diesel $5.30 $32.46 $64.92

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Osceola and Cedar Falls. The current time is 12:02:36.

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.