Origin
Ottumwa, IA
Afternoon in Ottumwa on Thursday
Local time
12:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
113.4 mi
183 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ottumwa, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Wapello Street, Highway 63, Highway 149 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.73 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.
Midpoint
56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 113.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 13m drive with frequent turns across 113.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Wapello Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Wapello Street | — | — |
| Highway 63 | — | — |
| Highway 149 | — | — |
| Highway 21 | — | — |
| Center Street | — | — |
| South Barnes Street | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 380th Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Wapello Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on West Fourth Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Fourth Street
2
Turn right onto North Wapello Street
397 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Wapello Street
3
Continue on Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Old US Highway 63
4
Continue on State Highway 149
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 149
5
Continue on State Highway 149
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 149
6
Turn left onto Highway 21
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Highway 21
7
Continue on Center Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Center Street
8
Continue on State Highway 21
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 21
9
Continue on South Barnes Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Barnes Street
10
Continue on State Highway 21
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 21
11
Continue on 220th Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
220th Street
12
Continue on State Highway 21
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 21
13
Continue on 220th Street
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Street
14
Turn right onto 380th Avenue
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
380th Avenue
15
Turn left onto B Avenue
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
B Avenue
16
Continue on State Highway 21
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 21
17
Continue on 11th Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Avenue
18
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
19
Turn left onto 13th Street
20 mi
·
29 min
·
13th Street
20
Turn left onto 58th Street
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
58th Street
21
Turn right onto State Highway 21
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 21
22
Continue on Hawkeye Road
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Hawkeye Road
23
Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
East San Marnan Drive
24
Turn left onto Hammond Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hammond Avenue
25
Keep slight right to continue on Hammond Avenue
213 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hammond Avenue
26
Turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue
502 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Ridgeway Avenue
27
Turn left onto West 11th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West 11th Street
28
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Street
29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Street
59 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Street
30
Exit the roundabout onto South Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Street
31
Turn right onto West 4th Street
302 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 4th Street
32
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.7 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
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 Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA
This is one driving day of about 113.4 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ottumwa, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.7 mi from Ottumwa, IA · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.73 one way
$35.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.47 | $38.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.82 | $43.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.04 | $50.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34 | 0 | $11.91 | $5.44 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in Waterloo on Thursday
Local time
12:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
57 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
2 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
2h 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 Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 113.4 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Wapello Street, Highway 63, Highway 149. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.73 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 Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ottumwa, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Waterloo, IA
More trips to Waterloo, IA
Explore more options from Ottumwa, IA or browse trips ending in Waterloo, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Ottumwa, IA or Waterloo, IA on MapSof.net.