Origin
Waterloo, IA
Afternoon in Waterloo on Sunday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterloo, IA to Anamosa, IA
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
69 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterloo, IA
Tom Fisk
Anamosa, IA
Tara Winstead
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward Midwestern excursion, the drive from Waterloo to Anamosa covers 69 miles in approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with ease and head back whenever you are ready. You should budget about $10 for fuel to complete the journey, making it a very cost-effective outing. Since both cities are located within Iowa, you will remain in the heart of the Midwest throughout your travels. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you plan to extend your visit. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a quick, manageable commute over a multi-day haul.
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 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a distinct mix of fast-paced transit and technical maneuvering. You will spend roughly 9% of your time on highways, transitioning from the efficient Avenue of the Saints to a more turn-heavy local driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 36.2 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, which provides a brief period of steady cruising before you shift toward County Home Road and I-380. Expect the character of the road to change as you move away from the main corridors and navigate the tighter segments of the route. Overall, the drive feels like a transition from high-speed regional connections into the more localized road network of rural Iowa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 36.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
950 ft
802 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
428 ft
Highest Point
950 ft
~66.1 mi in
Elevation Range
148 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
Washington Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
45.4 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward CR E34: Toddville, Robins
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR E34: Toddville, Robins
5
45.7 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
CR E34 / County Home Road
Turn sharp left onto CR E34 / County Home Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
Between Waterloo, IA and Anamosa, IA, road signs point toward Cr E34: Toddville and Robins.
Cr E34: Toddville
45.4 mi in
|
~51m
Robins
45.4 mi in
|
~51m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 36.2 mi | 38m |
| County Home Road | 16.6 mi | 22m |
| I 380 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Fairview Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| County Road E34 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Elm Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 36.2 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Anamosa, IA.
1
Start on West 4th Street
76 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Washington Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward CR E34: Toddville, Robins
6
Turn sharp left onto CR E34
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Home Road
7
Enter roundabout onto County Home Road
158 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Home Road
8
Continue on County Home Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Home Road
9
Enter roundabout onto CR E34
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Home Road
10
Continue on CR E34
12 mi
·
16 min
·
County Home Road
11
Continue on CR E34
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Fairview Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR E34
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road E34
13
Continue on CR E34
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Elm Street
14
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
41 ft
·
2 sec
·
Cemetery Road
15
Turn right onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto CR E28
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
CR E28
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 69-mile jaunt, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip without needing any formal stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Waterloo to ensure you stay within your $10 budget. Because the route involves several turn-heavy sections, remain alert as you transition off the main highways onto secondary roads. Planning to drive during daylight hours is a smart move to better navigate the local road changes you will encounter toward the end of your trip. Use the simplicity of this short drive to your advantage by keeping your itinerary loose and enjoying the straightforward nature of the journey.
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 34.5 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 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 39m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anamosa, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waterloo, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 36.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Waterloo, IA · 39m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Anamosa, IA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.48 one way
$20.96 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.55 | $23.11 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.03 | $26.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.33 | $30.66 |
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. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Destination
Anamosa, IA
Afternoon in Anamosa on Sunday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
31 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 26m 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 Waterloo, IA to Anamosa, IA covers 69 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, County Home Road, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.5 miles from Waterloo, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.48 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 69 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waterloo, IA and Anamosa, IA, road signs point toward Cr E34: Toddville and Robins.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 802 ft to 950 ft elevation with about 408 ft of total climbing.
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