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Trip from West Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 58m

Distance

152.9 mi

246 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 47m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m

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

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Trip Overview

The drive from West Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 152.9 miles and takes about 2h 58m 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, US 34, I 380 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 124.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.90 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

76.5 miles from West Burlington, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a 2h 58m drive with frequent turns across 152.9 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 124.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Mount Pleasant Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 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 | Broadway Street

Turn right onto Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Mount Pleasant Street

Turn left onto West Mount Pleasant Street

Navigation decision point

4
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
23.9 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 34; IA 163

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfiel...
6
149.5 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | I 380

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from West Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.

Fairfield

23.9 mi in | ~29m | via US 34; IA 163

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 124.8 mi 2h 20m
US 34 22.8 mi 27m
I 380 2.9 mi 4m
West Mount Pleasant Street 1.6 mi 3m
Washington Street 0.4 mi 1m
West 4th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Broadway Street <0.1 mi <1m
East Wheeler Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 124.8 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Wheeler Street

22 ft · 3 sec · East Wheeler Street
2

Turn right onto Broadway Street

365 ft · 19 sec · Broadway Street
3

Turn left onto West Mount Pleasant Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Mount Pleasant Street
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec
5

Merge onto US 34; IA 163

22 mi · 25 min · US 34; IA 163
6

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 34; IA 163
Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield
7

Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163

1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27

123 mi · 2 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

2.9 mi · 4 min · I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
10

Continue on Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
11

Turn left onto West 4th Street

398 ft · 13 sec · West 4th Street
12

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.5 miles from West Burlington, IA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.8 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.5 miles or 1h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving West Burlington, 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 West Burlington, IA

This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 2h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Burlington, 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 124.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.5 mi from West Burlington, IA · 1h 30m into the drive

city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Iowa City, IA

76 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

Cedar Rapids, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Iowa City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.5 miles from West Burlington, 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 124.8 miles.

Arriving in Waterloo, IA

The final approach into Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.90 one way

$47.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.25 $52.49
premium $4.89 $29.42 $58.85
diesel $5.61 $33.76 $67.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.9 0 $16.05 $7.34
Efficient EV 38.2 0 $13.38 $6.12
EV Truck/SUV 61.2 0 $21.41 $9.79

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

West Burlington, IA

Morning in West Burlington on Wednesday

Local time

7:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:22AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Morning in Waterloo on Wednesday

Local time

7:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

11 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

2h 58m 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 West Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 152.9 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, US 34, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.5 miles from West Burlington, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.90 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Mount Pleasant Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from West Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.

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