Origin
Coo n Rapids, IA
Late night in Coo n Rapids on Thursday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
162.6 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coo n Rapids, IA
Emın Alper
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 162.6 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Sumpter Avenue, County Highway E63, 330th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.42 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
81.3 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 44m drive with frequent turns across 162.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sumpter Avenue 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 Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 44m 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 Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sumpter Avenue | — | — |
| County Highway E63 | — | — |
| 330th Street | — | — |
| E Avenue | — | — |
| Locust Street | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 230th Street | — | — |
| I 35 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Sumpter Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coo n Rapids, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto Sumpter Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Sumpter Avenue
3
Continue on Sumpter Avenue
240 ft
·
5 sec
·
Sumpter Avenue
4
Continue on County Highway E63
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
County Highway E63
5
Continue on 330th Street
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
330th Street
6
Turn left onto E Avenue
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
E Avenue
7
Continue on Locust Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Locust Street
8
Continue on E Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
E Avenue
9
Turn right onto 220th Street
40 mi
·
52 min
·
220th Street
10
Continue on 230th Street
11 mi
·
13 min
·
230th Street
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 35 North: Minneapolis
12
Merge slight left
30 mi
·
32 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 20 East: Waterloo
14
Merge slight left
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 63: Sergeant Road
16
Turn slight right
121 ft
·
6 sec
17
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
18
Turn right onto University Avenue
387 ft
·
9 sec
·
University Avenue
19
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
20
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
21
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
22
Turn right onto West 4th Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
23
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.3 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA, or about 1h 22m 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 36 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
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 Coo n Rapids, 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 Coo n Rapids, IA
This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.3 mi from Coo n Rapids, IA · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from Coo n Rapids, 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.
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
$25.42 one way
$50.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.91 | $55.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.29 | $62.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.23 | $6.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $10.41 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night in Waterloo on Thursday
Local time
1:34 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
6 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 44m 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 Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 162.6 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sumpter Avenue, County Highway E63, 330th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 miles from Coo n Rapids, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.42 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 44m 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 Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Coo n Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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