Waterloo to Britt is 114 miles and takes about 2 hours 19 minutes via Avenue of the Saints, US 18, and US 218, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the heart of the Midwest, specifically Iowa, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that it's a single-day journey, this route is ideal for those looking for a quick getaway or an efficient way to travel between these two locations. Expect a local feel for much of the drive, rather than a high-speed interstate experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.1 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 114.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a "Turn-heavy local drive," with only 25% of the route on highways. You'll navigate a significant portion of the 114.1 miles on local roads, so be prepared for more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.5 miles along the Avenue of the Saints. This suggests that while there are periods of consistent travel, much of the journey involves navigating a more intricate network of roads, offering a more grounded, less highway-centric experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 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 82.5 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 Washington Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 9 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 (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.9 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These 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
6.9 mi into trip|~9m in|US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
5
89.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason...
4
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 35 Business / South 8th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / South 8th 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.
Between Waterloo, IA and Britt, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
Cr B35: Clear Lake
89.9 mi in|~1h 45m|via I 35 Business
Mason City
89.9 mi in|~1h 45m|via I 35 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
82.5 mi
1h 35m
US 18
21.8 mi
30m
US 218
7 mi
9m
4th Avenue South
1.2 mi
1m
South 8th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Washington Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Main Avenue North
0.3 mi
<1m
I 35 Business
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Britt, IA.
1
Start on West 4th Street
76 ft·6 sec·West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·Washington Street
3
Continue on US 218
6.3 mi·7 min·US 218
4
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
6
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
8
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.2 mi·1 min·4th Avenue South
9
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·South 8th Street
10
Turn left onto US 18
22 mi·30 min·US 18
11
Turn left onto Main Avenue North
0.3 mi·33 sec·Main Avenue North
12
Arrive at destination
Main Avenue North
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 19-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave Waterloo at your leisure, perhaps mid-morning, to arrive in Britt with plenty of afternoon time. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Waterloo to avoid unnecessary stops. The route's profile as a "Turn-heavy local drive" means paying close attention to navigation is key; relying solely on a general GPS might lead you astray on some of the local segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 82.5-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints, to ensure you have enough to reach 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.
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 57.1 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 7m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Britt, 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 114.1 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Waterloo, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.1 mi from Waterloo, IA
· 1h 7m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.2
0
$11.98
$5.48
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
EV Truck/SUV
45.6
0
$15.97
$7.30
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Waterloo, IA
Late night
in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 17 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Britt, IA
Late night
in Britt on Saturday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
38 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
2h 19m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Britt, IA covers 114.1 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, US 18, US 218. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.1 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 $17.84 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 2h 19m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.9 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waterloo, IA and Britt, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
