Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
186.3 mi
300 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Audubon, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Audubon, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 186.3 miles and takes about 3h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, US 71, County Road F32 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.5 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.13 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.1 miles from Audubon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
This is a 3h 56m highway drive covering 186.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and US 71. The longest continuous stretch is about 115.5 miles on US 20.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and US 71. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in near US 71; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 56m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.1 miles (US 71; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (US 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles (IA 175 / 370th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 71; IA 141 / George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 71
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto IA 175 / 370th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto IA 4 / Norridge Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 115.5 mi | 2h 13m |
| US 71 | 24 mi | 34m |
| County Road F32 | 12.1 mi | 16m |
| Norridge Avenue | 9 mi | 12m |
| Sergeant Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| 365th Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| 360th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| George P. Soumas Memorial Highway | 3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Audubon, IA and Waterloo, IA.
Start on US 71
Continue on US 71
Turn right onto US 71; IA 141
Turn left onto US 71
At end of road, turn right onto IA 175
Continue on IA 175
Continue on IA 175
Continue on IA 175
Continue on IA 175
Continue on IA 175
Turn left onto IA 4
Turn right onto CR D36
Turn left onto N57
Continue on N57
Turn right onto US 20
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 63
Turn right onto US 63
Turn straight onto US 63
Turn right
Continue on Washington Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 41 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.1 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Audubon, 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 Audubon, IA
This is one driving day of about 186.3 miles and 3h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.1 mi from Audubon, IA · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 93.1 miles from Audubon, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.5 miles.
The final approach into Waterloo, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waterloo, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.13 one way
$58.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.98 | $63.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.85 | $71.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.13 | $82.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.08 | $11.92 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Audubon on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Waterloo on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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