Origin
Belleville, IL
Evening in Belleville on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belleville, IL to Waterloo, IL
Drive Time
34m
Distance
20.7 mi
33 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belleville, IL
Mike Tyurin
Waterloo, IL
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick excursion through the Illinois Midwest, the 20.7-mile connection between Belleville and Waterloo is an ideal choice. Expect a travel time of approximately 34 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via IL 3, Centreville Avenue, and West Washington Street throughout the journey. Budgeting about $3 for fuel will comfortably cover this short distance, keeping your travel costs minimal. Because the trip is so efficient, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict time constraints.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.3 miles from Belleville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Highway travel accounts for only 29% of the route, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 5.5-mile segment on IL 3, which provides a brief reprieve from more frequent turns. As you transition between the roads, the character of the drive shifts from urban streets to local highways, requiring you to stay alert at intersections. This is a hands-on driving experience that rewards drivers who prefer local navigation over high-speed highway transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (West A Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Turn left onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West A Street
Turn right onto West A Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
IL 158 / Centreville Avenue
Enter roundabout onto IL 158 / Centreville Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
IL 158 / Centreville Avenue
Enter roundabout onto IL 158 / Centreville Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 3 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Centreville Avenue | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| West Washington Street | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| North Market Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Millstadt Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| IL 158 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West A Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 3
— 5.5 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belleville, IL and Waterloo, IL.
1
Start on East F Street
59 ft
·
10 sec
·
East F Street
2
Turn left onto IL 159
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Illinois Street
3
Turn right onto West A Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
West A Street
4
Turn left onto South 6th Street
348 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 6th Street
5
Continue on Centreville Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Centreville Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto IL 158
176 ft
·
3 sec
·
Centreville Avenue
7
Continue on IL 158
420 ft
·
8 sec
·
Centreville Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto IL 158
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
Centreville Avenue
9
Continue on IL 158
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Centreville Avenue
10
Continue on IL 158
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Millstadt Road
11
Continue on IL 158
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
12
Continue on IL 158
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Illinois Street
13
Continue on IL 158
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
West Washington Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 158
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 158
15
Merge onto IL 3
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
IL 3
16
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Market Street
17
Turn right onto West Mill Street
258 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Mill Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Mill Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 34-minute drive, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops, as you can easily complete the entire trip without needing to pull over for a break. If you want to avoid peak traffic congestion on these local roads, consider timing your departure during mid-morning or early afternoon hours. Keep in mind that because the route relies heavily on local roads, being prepared for stop-and-go driving is more important than preparing for long-distance highway travel. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, as local roads can occasionally be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway driving.
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 10.3 miles from Belleville, IL, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.5 miles.
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 20.7 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.3 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belleville, IL 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 Belleville, IL
This is one driving day of about 20.7 miles and 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Belleville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on IL 3 for about 5.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.3 mi from Belleville, IL · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 20.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.3 miles from Belleville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waterloo, IL
The final approach into Waterloo, IL 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, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.14 one way
$6.29 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.47 | $6.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.60 | $9.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.17 | $0.99 |
| Efficient EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.81 | $0.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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, IL
Evening in Waterloo on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
34m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Belleville, IL to Waterloo, IL covers 20.7 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 3, Centreville Avenue, West Washington Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.3 miles from Belleville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (West A Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Belleville, IL to Waterloo, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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