Origin
Epworth, IA
Morning in Epworth on Friday
Local time
11:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
75.2 mi
121 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Epworth, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, I 380, Washington Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.1 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 75.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 29m highway drive covering 75.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 380. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.1 miles on US 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 380. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 29m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (US 20; US 52): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 71.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 West, US 52 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 20; US 52
Merge onto US 20; US 52
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
3
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn left onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 71.1 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 380 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Center Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 71.1 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Epworth, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Center Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Center Avenue South
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 20 West, US 52 North
3
Merge onto US 20; US 52
71 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 20; US 52
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
6
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
7
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.6 mi from Epworth, IA · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Epworth, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.76 one way
$23.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.91 | $25.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.47 | $28.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.60 | $33.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.90 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.53 | $4.81 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Morning in Waterloo on Friday
Local time
11:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Independence, IA
38 mi in
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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 29m 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 Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 75.2 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 380, Washington Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.6 miles from Epworth, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.76 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 Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 29m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (US 20; US 52): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 71.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Epworth, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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 from Epworth, IA
More trips to Waterloo, IA
Explore more options from Epworth, IA or browse trips ending in Waterloo, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.