The drive from Corydon, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 159.2 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 14, US 63, J Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.1 miles on State Highway 14.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.89 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
79.6 miles from Corydon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 159.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 51m highway drive covering 159.2 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 14 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.1 miles on State Highway 14.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 14 and US 63. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 2 / West Jefferson Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 2 / West Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 14 / South Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (IA 14; US 34 Business / South 7th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 2 / West Jefferson Street
Turn right onto IA 2 / West Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 14 / South Lafayette Street
Turn left onto IA 14 / South Lafayette Street
Navigation decision point
5
18.1 mi into trip|~27m in|IA 14; US 34 Business / South 7th Street
At end of road, turn left onto IA 14; US 34 Business / South 7th Street
Navigation decision point
7
87.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward IA 146: Grinnell, New Sharon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward IA 146: Grinnell, New Sharon
7
128.4 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|US 63
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Corydon, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward New Sharon along the way.
New Sharon
87.4 mi in|~2h 3m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 14
63.1 mi
1h 33m
US 63
30.4 mi
44m
J Avenue
18 mi
26m
I 80
17.7 mi
18m
100th Street
8 mi
11m
380th Avenue
5.5 mi
7m
West Street South
3.3 mi
5m
South Lincoln Street
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 14
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corydon, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on South Franklin Street
86 ft·5 sec·South Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto IA 2
460 ft·13 sec·West Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto IA 14
460 ft·13 sec·South Lafayette Street
4
Turn left onto IA 14
242 ft·6 sec·East Jackson Street
5
Turn right onto IA 14
0.7 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
6
Continue on IA 14
16 mi·24 min·State Highway 14
7
Continue on IA 14
0.4 mi·38 sec·Main Street
8
Turn straight onto IA 14; US 34 Business
492 ft·8 sec·State Highway 14
9
Continue on IA 14; US 34 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·Woodlawn Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto IA 14; US 34 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
11
Continue on IA 14
23 mi·34 min·State Highway 14
12
Continue on IA 14
2.3 mi·3 min·South Lincoln Street
13
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
14
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·South Monroe Street
15
Continue on IA 14
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 14
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
17
Merge onto I 80
18 mi·18 min·I 80
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward IA 146: Grinnell, New SharonUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto IA 146
447 ft·12 sec·State Highway 146
20
Continue on IA 146
3.3 mi·5 min·West Street South
21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·4th Avenue
22
Turn left onto Penrose Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Penrose Street
23
Turn right onto US 6
0.6 mi·52 sec·6th Avenue
24
Continue on US 6
5.5 mi·7 min·380th Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 63
8.0 mi·11 min·100th Street
26
Continue on US 63
6.3 mi·9 min·J Avenue
27
Continue on US 63
1.5 mi·2 min·State Street
28
Turn left onto US 63
0.3 mi·24 sec·West 13th Street
29
Turn right onto US 63
0.4 mi·37 sec·Harding Street
30
Continue on US 63
1.8 mi·2 min·South County Road
31
Continue on US 63
12 mi·17 min·J Avenue
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
30 mi·43 min·US 63
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft·9 sec·University Avenue
34
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 63
35
Turn right
0.1 mi·10 sec
36
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Washington Street
37
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft·2 sec·West 4th Street
38
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.6 miles from Corydon, IA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 35 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 55m 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 9m
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 Corydon, 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 Corydon, IA
This is one driving day of about 159.2 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Corydon, 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.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 14 for about 63.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.6 mi from Corydon, IA
· 1h 55m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.89 one way
$49.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.33
$54.65
premium
$4.89
$30.64
$61.27
diesel
$5.61
$35.15
$70.30
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: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
EV Truck/SUV
63.7
0
$22.29
$10.19
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Corydon, IA
Late night
in Corydon on Saturday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSW 22 to 26 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:47AM CDT until April 22 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:46AM CDT until April 21 at 6:36AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Late night
in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 18 to 22 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:47AM CDT until April 22 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:46AM CDT until April 21 at 6:36AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
72°F
Newton, IA
80 mi in
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
3h 51m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Corydon, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 159.2 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 14, US 63, J Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.6 miles from Corydon, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 51m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 2 / West Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 14 / South Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles (IA 14; US 34 Business / South 7th Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Corydon, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward New Sharon along the way.
