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Trip from Waterloo, IA to Remsen, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

212.5 mi

342 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 4m ★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m

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 Remsen, IA, IA

Remsen, IA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Waterloo, IA to Remsen, IA covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 17m 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 20, State Highway 140 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 155.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.22 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

106.3 miles from Waterloo, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 212.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (17%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 17m drive with frequent turns across 212.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 155.2 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 Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 10 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 0.1 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 63 / Sergeant Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Washington Street

Turn right onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 5th Street

Turn right onto West 5th Street

Navigation decision point

4
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 63 / Sergeant Road

Turn left onto US 63 / Sergeant Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
186.9 mi into trip | ~3h 40m in | L21 / Lee Avenue

Turn right onto L21 / Lee Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 155.2 mi 2h 59m
Highway 20 19 mi 22m
State Highway 140 15.1 mi 20m
160th Street 6.4 mi 7m
Lee Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
West 4th Street 2.4 mi 4m
320th Street 2 mi 2m
Shamrock Avenue 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 155.2 mi, about 2h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Remsen, IA.

1

Start on West 4th Street

76 ft · 6 sec · West 4th Street
2

Turn right onto Washington Street

384 ft · 10 sec · Washington Street
3

Turn right onto West 5th Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · West 5th Street
4

Continue on West 4th Street

2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
5

Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
6

Turn left onto US 63

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto US 20; IA 27

155 mi · 2 hr 59 min · Avenue of the Saints
9

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street
10

Continue on US 20

1.9 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 20
11

Continue on US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20
12

Turn right onto L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
13

Continue on Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue
14

Turn left onto C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
15

Turn right onto IA 140

15 mi · 20 min · State Highway 140
16

Turn left onto IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3
17

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
18

Arrive at destination

South Washington Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 106.3 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.2 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 47 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.3 miles or 2h 5m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Remsen, 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 212.5 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Waterloo, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 155.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.3 mi from Waterloo, IA · 2h 5m into the drive

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Webster City, IA

106 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

Iowa Falls, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.3 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 155.2 miles.

Arriving in Remsen, IA

The final approach into Remsen, 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 Remsen, IA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

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

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

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 75.9

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 167

Holstein, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 75.9

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 75.9

Webster City, IA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 151.8

Early, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.22 one way

$66.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.48 $72.95
premium $4.89 $40.89 $81.79
diesel $5.61 $46.92 $93.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.31 $10.20
Efficient EV 53.1 0 $18.59 $8.50
EV Truck/SUV 85 1 $29.75 $13.60

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Waterloo, IA

Morning in Waterloo on Friday

Local time

7:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Remsen, IA

Morning in Remsen on Friday

Local time

7:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

19 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

4h 17m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Remsen, IA covers 212.5 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Highway 20, State Highway 140. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 106.3 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 $33.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 10 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 0.1 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 63 / Sergeant Road): Lane positioning matters here.

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

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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