Origin
State Center, IA
Night in State Center on Thursday
Local time
11:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from State Center, IA to Waterloo, IA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
75.1 mi
121 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
State Center, IA
Brett Sayles
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 75.1-mile journey from State Center, Iowa, to Waterloo, Iowa, is a straightforward trip that takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing US 20 and Sanford Avenue, this drive falls within the Midwest and stays within Iowa, making it a familiar regional hop. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for a single day. The route's character is more of a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll be navigating through towns and varied road types rather than a constant interstate cruise. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from State Center, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 75.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (27%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 75.1-mile stretch. Only about 27% of this route is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on local roads like Sanford Avenue and Lincoln Highway, interspersed with US 20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 18 miles on US 20, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you're back to navigating through communities. This profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, with frequent changes in speed limits and road conditions as you transition between different types of thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 18 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 1st Avenue South.
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 1h 41m drive. You will face about 18 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 (1st Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (4th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Avenue South
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Albion, Melbourne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Albion, Melbourne
5
46.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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.
On the drive from State Center, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Melbourne along the way.
Melbourne
7.8 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 18 mi | 20m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| Lincoln Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| N Avenue | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| 160th Street | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Sergeant Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 18 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between State Center, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on East Main Street
12 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
1st Avenue South
3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
4th Street Southwest
4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
5
Turn left onto US 30
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Lincoln Highway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward IA 330: Albion, Melbourne
7
Turn left onto IA 330
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
IA 330
8
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
9
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
11
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
12
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
13
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
14
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
15
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
16
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
18
Merge onto US 20
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 20
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
20
Turn slight right
120 ft
·
6 sec
21
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft
·
9 sec
·
University Avenue
23
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 63
24
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
25
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
26
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
27
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 41-minute drive, there's no need to split it; it's easily manageable in a single day. With a fuel cost around $12, you can plan your budget accordingly. Since there are no designated stops in the data, consider this a flexible trip where you can depart at your convenience. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns and changes in road type, especially as you transition off US 20 onto local roads like Sanford Avenue. Planning to leave mid-morning could help you avoid potential rush hour traffic within the towns you pass through.
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 37.6 miles from State Center, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 51m 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 25m
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 State Center, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from State Center, IA
This is one driving day of about 75.1 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from State Center, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 18 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.6 mi from State Center, IA · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from State Center, 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
$11.74 one way
$23.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.89 | $25.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.45 | $28.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.58 | $33.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.89 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.51 | $4.81 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Thursday
Local time
11:58 PM
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
19 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 41m 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 State Center, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 75.1 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, Sanford Avenue, Lincoln Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.6 miles from State Center, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.74 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 41m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (4th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from State Center, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Melbourne along the way.
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