Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
69 mi
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
The drive from Waterloo, IA to Anamosa, IA covers 69 miles and takes about 1h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Street, I-380 south, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.24 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.5 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 26m drive with frequent turns across 69 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-380 south | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR E34 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Home Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fairview Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road E34 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Elm Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Anamosa, IA.
Start on West 4th Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right toward CR E34: Toddville, Robins
Turn sharp left onto County Home Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Home Road;C Avenue Extension
Exit the rotary onto County Home Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Home Road
Exit the roundabout onto County Home Road
Continue on Fairview Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road E34
Continue on Elm Street
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
Turn right onto South Elm Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
Arrive at your destination
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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 43m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anamosa, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, IA
This is one driving day of about 69 miles and 1h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Waterloo, IA · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Anamosa, 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 Anamosa, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.24 one way
$20.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.55 | $23.11 |
| premium | $4.65 | $12.64 | $25.29 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $14.41 | $28.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Anamosa on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Cedar Rapids, IA
35 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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