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Finding a rental car in Cedar Falls is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands all around Iowa with no reservation fees. Pick up your Cedar Falls car rental right after landing at Waterloo Regional Airport or choose downtown branches from Hertz, Enterprise and Avis to keep costs down. Reserve early for UNI game weekends and the Sturgis Falls Celebration to lock in low prices and the vehicle you want.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO) | • Convenient pickup upon arrival • Avis/Budget counter in arrivals area • Short wait times (usually 5 minutes) • Staffed around flight arrivals |
• Limited flight options (often connections through Chicago) • Smaller selection of vehicles • May close between flights |
| Cedar Falls/Waterloo City Locations | • Lower rates (no airport fees) • Locations include: - Hertz (University Ave, Cedar Falls) - Enterprise (La Porte Rd, Waterloo) |
• Standard business hours only (usually 7:30am-5:30pm weekdays) • Limited weekend hours; often closed Sundays • Transportation needed from airport |
| Alternative Airports | • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID, Cedar Rapids) • Des Moines International (DSM) |
• 1-3 hours drive to Cedar Falls • Wider vehicle selection • More flight options • One-way fees may apply if not returning to same location |
From ALO to city locations: Taxi or rideshare (around 15-20 minutes, $15-20 fare)
Hotel shuttles: Many Cedar Falls hotels offer complimentary ALO airport shuttles
Enterprise: Offers pickup service when booked in advance
Ideal pickup times: Midday or early afternoon on weekdays
On average, car rentals in Cedar Falls cost around $78 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Skip the airport fee: ALO adds about 11% to the bill. Grab your hotel's free shuttle or a $15 rideshare into town and pick up the car at a Cedar Falls or Waterloo branch for lower base rates.
Time your trip, not just your booking: Rates jump during UNI graduation, homecoming and the Sturgis Falls festival. If you can swing mid-winter or a normal fall weekend, the same car can be 20-30% cheaper.
Compare locations & dates in one search: Our site lets you pit ALO, Cedar Falls and even Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) against each other. Shifting pickup by just a day or to a different desk often drops the price more than any "coupon."
Stick with an economy or midsize: Rural roads here are paved and parking is free, so unless it's deep-snow season an SUV is just extra dollars on the meter.
Leverage local perks: Enterprise will pick you up, many hotels shuttle you back, and in-state one-way drop fees are usually tiny. Use those freebies to avoid paying for extra ride segments.
Join the free loyalty club before you book: Even the basic tier can waive second-driver fees or bump you into the next class—instant savings with zero effort.
| Location | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Cedar Falls | Free | 2-hour street parking on weekdays; 4-hour in lots; free evenings/weekends |
| College Hill (by UNI) | Metered | Not enforced evenings (after 5-6pm) and Sundays |
| UNI Campus | Visitor lots (pay) | Some lots free after 5pm and weekends; check signage |
| Shopping Centers | Free | Plenty of spaces at College Square Mall and other retail areas |
| Downtown Waterloo | Free or metered | Most attractions have their own free lots |
| Hotels | Free | Almost all Cedar Falls and Waterloo hotels offer free parking |
Speed limits:
School zones: Reduced speeds (20 mph) around UNI campus and K-12 schools
Pedestrians: Heavy foot traffic around UNI and downtown; yield at crosswalks
Roundabouts: Recently installed in Cedar Falls (University Ave and Cedar Heights Dr); yield to traffic in the circle
Winter snow emergencies: No street parking until roads are plowed when snowfall exceeds 2 inches
Black ice: Common on bridges and shaded areas in winter months
Get a car to visit:
Downtown Cedar Falls – Main Street shops, cafes
University of Northern Iowa – UNI-Dome, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
George Wyth State Park – trails, lakes, picnic areas
Downtown Waterloo – museums, riverfront venues, brewery
Where is the best place to pick up a rental car for Cedar Falls?
If you fly into Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO), the Avis/Budget counter there is the most convenient option. To save money, locations in Cedar Falls (Hertz) or Waterloo (Enterprise) usually have lower prices since they don't have airport fees, but you'll need to find a ride from the airport.
How far is Cedar Falls from Waterloo Regional Airport?
The drive from Waterloo Regional Airport to Cedar Falls is about 7 miles (11 km) and takes around 15 minutes.
What driving challenges should I expect in winter?
You can expect snow and ice from November through March. Crews plow the main roads quickly, but neighborhood streets can stay slippery for longer. Be careful of black ice on bridges and in shady spots. Strong winds can also cause snow to drift across open highways. We suggest renting a car with all-wheel drive (AWD) for winter visits.
Is parking difficult in downtown Cedar Falls?
No, it's easy to find free parking in downtown Cedar Falls. On weekdays, you can park for free on the street for 2 hours or in a parking lot for 4 hours. There are no time limits in the evenings and on weekends. The downtown area is very walkable, so you can easily park once and explore everything on foot.
How busy is traffic around the University of Northern Iowa?
Traffic is usually light around the university. It gets busier when students change classes and use the crosswalks. It's also busy during special events like football games, graduation or concerts at the UNI-Dome. You should allow extra time on game days or during big campus events.
Can I easily drive between Cedar Falls and Waterloo?
Yes, you can easily drive between the two cities in about 15 minutes. You can take Highway 218/27 or the older bridges on Highway 57. Traffic between the cities isn't usually heavy, but you might run into some slowdowns during rush hour.
Are there toll roads in the Cedar Falls area?
No, Iowa has no toll roads. You can drive anywhere in the state without having to pay tolls.
What's the best vehicle for exploring the rural areas around Cedar Falls?
We recommend a small to mid-size SUV or crossover for exploring the countryside. These cars sit higher off the ground, which is good for gravel roads. They also get good gas mileage and are easy to handle in town. If you visit in the winter, getting a model with all-wheel drive (AWD) will give you more safety on snowy roads.
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