Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
45.1 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
The drive from Waterloo, IA to Belle Plaine, IA covers 45.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Street, West 11th Street, East Ridgeway Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.70 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
22.5 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 7m drive with frequent turns across 45.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 11th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Ridgeway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hammond Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East San Marnan Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hawkeye Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 58th 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 Belle Plaine, IA.
Start on West 4th Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto West 11th Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue
Turn sharp left onto Hammond Avenue
Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive
Turn left onto Hawkeye Road
Continue on State Highway 21
At the end of the road, turn left onto 58th Street
Turn right onto Holsted Street
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
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 45.1 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.5 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle Plaine, 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 45.1 miles and 1h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.5 mi from Waterloo, IA · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.5 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.70 one way
$13.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.55 | $15.10 |
| premium | $4.65 | $8.26 | $16.53 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $9.42 | $18.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.74 | $2.16 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.95 | $1.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.89 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Belle Plaine on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Cedar Rapids, IA
23 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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