Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
203.4 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
The drive from Waterloo, IA to Arnolds Park, IA covers 203.4 miles and takes about 4h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Street, US 218 North, 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 $30.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
101.7 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 25m drive with frequent turns across 203.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 25m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waterloo, IA to Arnolds Park, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 218 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 9 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 360th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Evergreen Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 230th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Arnolds Park, IA.
Start on West 4th Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right
Turn left onto State Highway 9
Continue on North Street
Continue on 360th Street
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
Continue on State Highway 9
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
Turn left onto 400th Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
Turn left onto State Highway 9
Continue on 1st Avenue East
Continue on State Highway 9
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
Continue on US Highway 169
Continue on State Highway 9
Continue on 4th Avenue West
Continue on 430th Street
Continue on 4th Avenue
Continue on State Highway 9
Continue on East Central Avenue
Continue on State Highway 9
Continue on Highway 9
Continue on 1st Avenue
Continue on 150th Street
Continue on US Highway 71
Continue on 18th Street
Turn left
Turn left onto Ackley Street
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Turn left onto Kruse Beach
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 2h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnolds Park, 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 203.4 miles and 4h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.7 mi from Waterloo, IA · 2h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 101.7 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Arnolds Park, 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 Arnolds Park, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.89 one way
$61.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.06 | $68.11 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.40 | $76.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.19 | $90.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.76 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.80 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.48 | $13.02 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Arnolds Park on Sunday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
46°F
Mason City, IA
102 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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