Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
122.4 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norwalk, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
This 122.4-mile journey from Norwalk to Waterloo, Iowa, is a manageable one-day trip, typically taking around 2 hours and 40 minutes. You'll navigate a route that's about 15% highway, with a significant portion on local roads, suggesting a more turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $19, and with only one recommended stop, it's designed for efficiency. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive through the heart of Iowa. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively short drive with minimal overnight planning required.
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
61.2 miles from Norwalk, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (15%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll likely encounter frequent turns and changes in road type rather than long, straight stretches. While only 15% of the route is on highways, the longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 35.2 miles on Northeast Hubbell Road. This suggests a journey that demands your attention as you transition between different road systems. The character of the drive will likely shift as you move from the immediate vicinity of Norwalk onto US 20 and then toward Sanford Avenue in Waterloo.
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 around 2.5 miles in near CR R63 / County Road R63.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (CR R63 / County Road R63): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.6 miles (IA 14; IA 175 / 240th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto CR R63 / County Road R63
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 6: Hubbell Avenue, Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175 / 240th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Norwalk, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Altoona along the way.
Altoona
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 35.2 mi | 41m |
| US 20 | 18 mi | 20m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 14.5 mi | 16m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| N Avenue | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| 160th Street | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, IA and Waterloo, IA.
Start on Main Street
Turn left onto CR G14
Continue on County Road G14
At end of road, turn left onto CR R63
Continue on CR R63
Take the ramp
Merge onto IA 5
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn right onto US 6
Continue on US 65; IA 330
Continue on US 65; IA 330
Turn left onto IA 330
Continue on IA 330
Continue on IA 330
Turn left onto IA 14
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
Turn left onto M Avenue
Continue on County Road T37
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Turn left onto IA 14
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 20
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 63
Turn right onto US 63
Turn straight onto US 63
Turn right
Continue on Washington Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 2 hour and 40-minute duration, this drive is easily accomplished in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 122.4 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where you anticipate needing a break. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite economical, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before leaving Norwalk. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route; this means being mindful of your GPS and road signs, especially when transitioning from Northeast Hubbell Road to US 20 and eventually onto Sanford Avenue.
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.
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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.2 miles or 1h 17m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA
This is one driving day of about 122.4 miles and 2h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.2 mi from Norwalk, IA · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 61.2 miles from Norwalk, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$19.14 one way
$38.27 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.01 | $42.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.55 | $47.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.02 | $54.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.85 | $5.88 |
| Efficient EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.71 | $4.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49 | 0 | $17.14 | $7.83 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Norwalk on Friday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Waterloo on Friday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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