How far is Ottumwa, IA from Cedar Falls, IA?
The driving distance from Ottumwa, IA to Cedar Falls, IA is about 122.3 miles (196.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 104.2 miles (167.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ottumwa and Cedar Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa and Cedar Falls.
-
1
Start on West Fourth Street
1124 ft · 29 sec · West Fourth Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Wapello Street
121 m · 5 sec · North Wapello Street
-
3
Continue on Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi · 6 min · Old US Highway 63
-
4
Continue on State Highway 149
5.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 149
-
5
Continue on State Highway 149
4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 149
-
6
Turn left onto Highway 21
10 mi · 14 min · Highway 21
-
7
Continue on Center Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Center Street
-
8
Continue on State Highway 21
4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 21
-
9
Continue on South Barnes Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Barnes Street
-
10
Continue on State Highway 21
7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 21
-
11
Continue on 220th Street
3 mi · 4 min · 220th Street
-
12
Continue on State Highway 21
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 21
-
13
Continue on 220th Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · 220th Street
-
14
Turn right onto 380th Avenue
4.2 mi · 6 min · 380th Avenue
-
15
Turn left onto B Avenue
5.8 mi · 9 min · B Avenue
-
16
Continue on State Highway 21
2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 21
-
17
Continue on 11th Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue
-
18
Continue on 7th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · 7th Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto 13th Street
20.3 mi · 29 min · 13th Street
-
20
Turn left onto 58th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 58th Street
-
21
Turn right onto State Highway 21
8 mi · 12 min · State Highway 21
-
22
Continue on Hawkeye Road
10.9 mi · 16 min · Hawkeye Road
-
23
Take the ramp left toward US 20 West, IA 27 North: Fort Dodge
2091 ft · 51 sec
-
24
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
4.4 mi · 5 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward IA 27, IA 58 North: Cedar Falls
1460 ft · 36 sec
-
26
Keep slight left
79 m · 9 sec
-
27
Turn right
4 mi · 5 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street, Waterloo Road
1305 ft · 32 sec
-
29
Continue on Waterloo Road
909 ft · 28 sec
-
30
Turn left onto Waterloo Road
2180 ft · 46 sec · Waterloo Road
-
31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Main Street
5 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
32
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
6 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ottumwa and Cedar Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
13th Street
Turn left onto 13th Street
20.3 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa to Cedar Falls?
The road trip is about 122.3 miles (196.8 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?
Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.1 miles from Ottumwa and 61.2 miles from Cedar Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104.2 miles (167.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 1:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ottumwa and Mostly Sunny near Cedar Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Victor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Victor.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ottumwa and Cedar Falls. Straight-line distance: 104.19 mi (167.68 km).
#1 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| 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: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.33 | $36.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.86 | $45.72 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.