Origin
Britt, IA
Late night in Britt on Saturday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Britt, 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 19m
Distance
114.5 mi
184 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Britt, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 114.5-mile drive from Britt to Waterloo, Iowa, can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 19 minutes, making it an ideal one-day trip. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 97% of the journey on main roads like US 18 and the Leo P Rooff Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this is an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. You won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations as this trip is designed for a single day. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the state of Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Britt, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 114.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 114.5-mile trip, as 97% of the route utilizes main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82 miles on US 18, offering a consistent pace. This drive profile suggests minimal deviations from primary highways, meaning you'll likely experience a smooth, direct journey. The Leo P Rooff Expressway is also part of your path, indicating modern, high-speed sections. It's designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely scenic cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 82 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and US Highway 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 18 / US Highway 18.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 23.2 miles (US 18): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.1 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 18 / US Highway 18
Turn right onto US 18 / US Highway 18
Navigation decision point
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 18
Take the ramp onto US 18 toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des...
5
26.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
5
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers C...
5
114.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Britt, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Charles City along the way.
Charles City
26.1 mi in
|
~36m
|
via US 18; IA 27
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 18 | 82 mi | 1h 35m |
| US Highway 18 | 22.9 mi | 32m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Main Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 218 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 82 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Britt, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Main Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Avenue North
2
Turn right onto US 18
23 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 18
3
Take the ramp onto US 18
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 18
Toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
4
Merge onto I 35; US 18; IA 27
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
5
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
6
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
7
Take the exit
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
8
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
9
Merge onto US 218
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
11
Turn straight onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Washington Street
12
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
13
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this 114.5-mile drive from Britt to Waterloo is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is 82 miles on US 18. While there are no designated stops mentioned, you can easily plan for a quick fuel or restroom break as needed. The estimated fuel cost is a reasonable $18, so factor that into your budget. Since it's a highway-focused route, consider leaving earlier in the day to avoid potential weekend traffic, especially if you're traveling on a Friday or Sunday.
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 57.3 miles from Britt, IA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 54m
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 Britt, 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 Britt, IA
This is one driving day of about 114.5 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Britt, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 18 for about 82 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.3 mi from Britt, IA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from Britt, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 18 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82 miles.
Arriving in Waterloo, IA
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.90 one way
$35.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.65 | $39.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.03 | $44.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.28 | $50.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.02 | $5.50 |
| Efficient EV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.02 | $4.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.03 | $7.33 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Late night in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
4:03 AM
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
3 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
2h 19m 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 Britt, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 114.5 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 18, US Highway 18, Leo P Rooff Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.3 miles from Britt, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.90 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 is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 23.2 miles (US 18): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.1 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Britt, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Charles City along the way.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Waterloo, IA
More trips to Waterloo, IA
Explore more options from Britt, IA or browse trips ending in Waterloo, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.