Origin
Ames, IA
Late night in Ames on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Waterloo, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 97.6-mile drive from Ames to Waterloo, Iowa, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 20 and I 35 Business, with Sergeant Road also playing a role. Given its short duration and focus on highways, this route is perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient transfer between these two Midwest hubs. With an estimated fuel cost of around $15, it's a budget-friendly option. The drive is predominantly highway-focused, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing direct travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 60.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 35 Business | 28.6 mi | 31m |
| Sergeant Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| US 63 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4
Merge onto US 20
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 20
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
6
Turn slight right
120 ft
·
6 sec
7
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft
·
9 sec
·
University Avenue
9
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 63
10
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
11
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Washington Street
12
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
13
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 56-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, as it’s well-suited for a single day. Plan for minimal stops, given the route's efficiency and the 92% highway share. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 60.6 miles on US 20, so keep an eye on your fuel levels before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical trip. A practical tip: ensure your tires are properly inflated before you depart, as this can further enhance fuel efficiency on the highway-focused portions.
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 48.8 miles from Ames, IA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 48.8 miles or 57m 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 33m
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 Ames, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 97.6 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 60.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 97.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 35 Business
Turn left onto I 35 Business toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
4
31.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
3
31.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 20
Merge onto US 20
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Sergeant Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
5
97.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.26 one way
$30.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.78 | $37.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
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: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
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.
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Late night in Waterloo on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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 56m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this 97.6-mile journey, with a significant 92% of the route utilizing faster roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 60.6 miles on US 20, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While the profile is highway-centric, the inclusion of roads like I 35 Business and Sergeant Road might introduce slight variations in pace and environment. Overall, the character leans towards efficient travel, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding local roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.
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 1h 56m 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: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.8 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining.
About the Cities
Starting in Ames, IA
Full guide →Founded 1864
Ames is a pleasant college town in Central Iowa, sitting astride the Skunk River roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic year at Iowa State University, which is the city's primary draw.
Top landmarks
- • Catt Hall — building on Iowa State University's campus, U.S.
- • Food Sciences Building — historic building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United S...
- • Ames City Hall — United States historic place
Arriving in Waterloo, IA
Full guide →Waterloo is a city of 68,000 people (2020) in of Black Hawk County in Northeast Iowa. It adjoins the city of Cedar Falls. It is home to an important John Deere tractor factory, which offers tours.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.6 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.8 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waterloo, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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