Origin
Adel, IA
Afternoon in Adel on Saturday
Local time
1:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
131 mi
211 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adel, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 131 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Greene Street, 290th Street, I-35 north for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.5 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Greene Street | — | — |
| 290th Street | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| US 6 West | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | — | — |
| Marsh Avenue | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Greene Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Nile Kinnick Drive South
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto Greene Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
3
Continue on 290th Street
12 mi
·
17 min
·
290th Street
4
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I-35 north, I-80 east
5
Merge slight left
10 mi
·
11 min
6
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
7
Continue straight
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
8
Keep slight left
4.5 mi
·
5 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
13
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
15
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
16
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
17
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
18
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
19
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
20
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
21
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 20 East: Waterloo
22
Merge slight left
18 mi
·
20 min
23
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 63: Sergeant Road
24
Turn slight right
121 ft
·
6 sec
25
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
26
Turn right onto University Avenue
387 ft
·
9 sec
·
University Avenue
27
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
28
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
29
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
30
Turn right onto West 4th Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
31
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 65.5 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 29 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.5 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Adel, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 131 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Adel, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.5 miles from Adel, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.48 one way
$40.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.49 | $44.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.21 | $50.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.92 | $57.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.29 |
| Efficient EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.46 | $5.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.34 | $8.38 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Afternoon in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
1:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
131 mi in 2h 21m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Greene Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 131 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waterloo, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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