Origin
Clarion, IA
Night in Clarion on Wednesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
85.4 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarion, IA
MART PRODUCTION
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 220th Street, 210th Street, Balsam Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.35 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Clarion, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 34m drive with frequent turns across 85.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 34m 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 Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 210th Street | — | — |
| Balsam Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 3 | — | — |
| Central Avenue West | — | — |
| South Street | — | — |
| 230th Street | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarion, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue West
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
2
Continue on 220th Street
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
220th Street
3
Turn straight
1.1 mi
·
1 min
4
Turn right onto 210th Street
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
210th Street
5
Continue on Balsam Avenue
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Balsam Avenue
6
Continue on State Highway 3
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
7
Continue on Central Avenue West
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue West
8
Continue on State Highway 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
9
Continue on 210th Street
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
10
Continue on South Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
11
Continue on 210th Street
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
12
Continue on State Highway 3
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
13
Continue on 210th Street
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
210th Street
14
Continue on State Highway 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 3
15
Continue on 230th Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
230th Street
16
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
17
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
318 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 218 south: Waterloo
19
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 218 south: Waterloo
20
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
21
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
22
Turn straight onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Washington Street
23
Turn right onto West 4th Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
24
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 42.7 miles from Clarion, IA, or about 47m 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 19 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 47m 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 20m
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 Clarion, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarion, IA
This is one driving day of about 85.4 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Clarion, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Clarion, IA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Clarion, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.35 one way
$26.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.66 | $29.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.43 | $32.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Night in Waterloo on Wednesday
Local time
11:39 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
4 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
1h 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 Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, 210th Street, Balsam Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 miles from Clarion, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.35 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.
The drive from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clarion, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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