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Trip from Waterloo, IA to Kalona, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

95.9 mi

154 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kalona, IA, IA

Kalona, IA

Vasilij Zajcev

Trip Overview

The drive from Waterloo, IA to Kalona, IA covers 95.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, Highway 1 Southwest, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.6 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.99 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.

Midpoint

47.9 miles from Waterloo, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 70.6 mi 1h 18m
Highway 1 Southwest 13.3 mi 18m
I 380 6.5 mi 7m
Washington Street 2.7 mi 4m
State Highway 1 1.1 mi 1m
1st Street 0.6 mi <1m
East Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
5th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 70.6 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Kalona, 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

71 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
6

Turn right onto IA 1

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 1 Southwest
7

Continue on IA 1

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 1
8

Continue on IA 1

0.6 mi · 57 sec · 1st Street
9

Turn left onto IA 22

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Avenue
10

Turn right onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · 5th Street
11

Turn left onto B Avenue

36 ft · 1 sec · B Avenue
12

Arrive at destination

B Avenue

Trip Plan

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 47.9 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 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 21 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.9 miles or 55m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kalona, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Waterloo, IA

This is one driving day of about 95.9 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 70.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Rapids, IA

48 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.

Popular next leg

Cedar Rapids, IA to Kalona, IA

45.2 mi · 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Vinton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.9 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalona, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 95.9

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13196563315

Visit website

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.5 mi

Black Sheep Social Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kalona Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalona, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 95.9

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+13196565333

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.2 mi

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1.1 mi

Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30 mile 95.9

Kalona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13196563315

Visit website

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+13193663177

Visit website

Black Sheep Social Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13192007070

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13192005558

Visit website

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193663644

Visit website

Brewhemia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193640802

Visit website

Lucky's on 16th

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13192004590

Visit website

Jw's Deli

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 95.9

Kalona, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13196565151

Kalona Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 95.9

Kalona, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+13196565333

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

Visit website

Opus Concert Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13193668203

Visit website

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Creamery Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89

Kalona, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–12:30 pm

+13196564220

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 54.8

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 75.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 82.2

Iowa City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 41.1

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 47.9

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 68.5

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 68.5

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 75.3

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 47.9

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 95.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
4
95.3 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | IA 22 / East Avenue

Turn left onto IA 22 / East Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
95.9 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | B Avenue

Turn left onto B Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.99 one way

$29.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.46 $32.92
premium $4.89 $18.46 $36.91
diesel $5.61 $21.17 $42.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Supercharger

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Waterloo, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Coralville, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Iowa City, Iowa

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Coralville, Iowa

Shell Recharge

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Center Point, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Coralville, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla: 3 Shell Recharge: 3 Blink: 3 Other: 2 EV Connect: 1 ChargePoint: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.8 0 $10.07 $4.60
Efficient EV 24 0 $8.39 $3.84
EV Truck/SUV 38.4 0 $13.43 $6.14

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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 15, 2026

Origin

Waterloo, IA

Afternoon in Waterloo on Saturday

Local time

1:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kalona, IA

Afternoon in Kalona on Saturday

Local time

1:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

17 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 1h 53m drive with frequent turns across 95.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

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 70.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

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 Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 53m drive. You will face about 8 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 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 95.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (22%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Waterloo, IA to Kalona, IA covers 95.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Highway 1 Southwest, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 47.9 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 $14.99 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 1h 53m drive. You will face about 8 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 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.

The route from Waterloo, IA to Kalona, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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.

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Kalona, IA to Waterloo, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

96.1 mi 1h 54m

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