Origin
Solon, IA
Night in Solon on Wednesday
Local time
9:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
71.9 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Solon, IA
Demian Grygorchuk
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Solon to Waterloo, expect a straightforward 71.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip through the heart of the Midwest, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route utilizes local roads like Highway 382, Ely Road Northeast, and State Street rather than major interstates, it offers a more grounded, local perspective of Iowa. It is an ideal choice if you prefer a direct, no-fuss drive that gets you to your destination quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Solon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend the entire 71.9 miles navigating local roads, which keeps the pace steady but requires your full attention at intersections and turns. Because this is not an interstate grind, you will not encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. Instead, the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between Highway 382, Ely Road Northeast, and State Street. Expect a more intimate experience behind the wheel where the scenery shifts based on the specific local roads you are traversing.
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.
Highway 382 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 14m 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 Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 382 | — | — |
| Ely Road Northeast | — | — |
| State Street | — | — |
| Ely Road | — | — |
| C Street Southwest | — | — |
| US 30 west | — | — |
| I 380 North | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 382
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Solon, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on Highway 382 Northeast
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 382 Northeast
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Ely Road Northeast
13 ft
·
Ely Road Northeast
4
Exit the roundabout onto Ely Road Northeast
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Ely Road Northeast
5
Continue on State Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Street
6
Continue on Ely Road
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Ely Road
7
Turn right onto C Street Southwest
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
C Street Southwest
8
Take the ramp left toward US 30 west, US 151 south
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 30 west, US 151 south
9
Merge slight left
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids
11
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
54 mi
·
1 hr
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
13
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
14
Turn left onto West 4th Street
397 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 14-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though traveling during daylight hours is best for navigating the frequent turns on local roads. Since there are no designated stops on this 71.9-mile path, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave to account for the $11 estimated cost. Stay alert at every junction, as the route relies entirely on local infrastructure rather than continuous highway signage. Your greatest advantage here is the short travel time, allowing you to easily adjust your schedule if you encounter unexpected local traffic. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the transition between Highway 382 and Ely Road Northeast happens quickly and requires careful navigation.
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 35.9 miles from Solon, IA, or about 37m 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 16 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 37m 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 3m
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 Solon, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Solon, IA
This is one driving day of about 71.9 miles and 1h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Solon, 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 35.9 mi from Solon, IA · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.9 miles from Solon, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.24 one way
$22.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.34 | $24.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.84 | $27.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.87 | $31.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.29 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.07 | $4.60 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Night in Waterloo on Wednesday
Local time
9:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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 14m 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 Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 71.9 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 382, Ely Road Northeast, State Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.9 miles from Solon, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.24 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 Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 14m 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 Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Solon, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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