Origin
Fort Madison, IA
Late night in Fort Madison on Saturday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Madison, 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
3h 13m
Distance
164.7 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Madison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 164.7 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, IA 2, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 147.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.75 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
82.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 164.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (7%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 13m drive with frequent turns across 164.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 147.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.
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 3h 13m 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: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 61 Business / 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 61 Business / Avenue L): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Avenue I
Turn right onto Avenue I
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 61 Business / 20th Street
Turn left onto US 61 Business / 20th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 61 Business / Avenue L
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business / Avenue L
Navigation decision point
4
38.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
161.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 147.6 mi | 2h 47m |
| IA 2 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| I 380 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Avenue O | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Avenue L | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Avenue H | 1 mi | 1m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Old Highway 61 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 147.6 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Avenue I
139 ft
·
11 sec
·
Avenue I
3
Turn left onto US 61 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue H
4
Turn left onto US 61 Business
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
20th Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue L
6
Continue on US 61 Business
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Highway 61
7
Continue on US 61 Business
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue O
8
Turn straight onto IA 2
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 2
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
10
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27
123 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
13
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
14
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
15
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 82.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.6 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 38m 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 38m
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 Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA
This is one driving day of about 164.7 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Fort Madison, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 147.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.3 mi from Fort Madison, IA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 82.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.6 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.75 one way
$51.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.27 | $56.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.70 | $63.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.36 | $72.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 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 | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.91 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.41 | $6.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
Gas CO2
58 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 Saturday
Local time
2:31 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
5 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 13m 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 Fort Madison, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 164.7 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, IA 2, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.75 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 13m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 61 Business / 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 61 Business / Avenue L): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Madison, 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.
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