Origin
Harlan, IA
Late night in Harlan on Saturday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harlan, 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
4h 21m
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harlan, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Harlan, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Northeast Hubbell Road, US 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.4 miles from Harlan, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Harlan, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 21m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 101 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 93.9 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 93.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
93.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
108.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
112.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
5
185.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
214.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harlan, IA and Waterloo, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
Minneapolis
93.9 mi in
|
~1h 46m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
93.9 mi in
|
~1h 46m
|
via I 80
Bondurant
112.8 mi in
|
~2h 8m
|
via US 65
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 101 mi | 1h 50m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 35.2 mi | 41m |
| US 20 | 18 mi | 20m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| US 59 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| N Avenue | 4.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 101 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harlan, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on Willow Street
55 ft
·
4 sec
·
Willow Street
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
12th Street
3
Continue on Linden Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Linden Road
4
Continue on 800th Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
800th Street
5
Turn left onto US 59
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
US 59
6
Continue on US 59
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Avoca Lane
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
82 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 80
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 80
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 65
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
13
Continue on US 65; IA 330
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
14
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
15
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
16
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
17
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
19
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
20
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
21
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
22
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
23
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
24
Merge onto US 20
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 20
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
26
Turn slight right
120 ft
·
6 sec
27
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft
·
9 sec
·
University Avenue
29
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 63
30
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
31
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
32
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
33
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 107.4 miles from Harlan, IA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 1m 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 29m
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 Harlan, 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 Harlan, IA
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Harlan, 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 I 80 for about 101 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.4 mi from Harlan, IA · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Harlan, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101 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
$33.58 one way
$67.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.87 | $73.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.34 | $82.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.43 | $94.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.79 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
4:31 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
17 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
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Harlan, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 214.8 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Northeast Hubbell Road, US 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.4 miles from Harlan, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.58 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 93.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Harlan, IA and Waterloo, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
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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