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Trip from Blue Grass, IA to Waterloo, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

128.3 mi

206 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m

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 Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa

Blue Grass, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 128.3-mile drive from Blue Grass, IA to Waterloo, IA is a manageable 2-hour and 5-minute journey, perfect for a single day trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads like South Mississippi Street, 70th Avenue, and South Blue Grass Road, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $19, making it an economical option. Given its short duration and local road nature, this trip is ideal for a relaxed excursion within the Midwest region. You won't need to break it up overnight, offering plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

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

64.1 miles from Blue Grass, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 70.8 mi 1h 18m
I 80 44.4 mi 48m
70th Avenue 5 mi 8m
I 380 2.9 mi 4m
200th Street 1 mi 1m
North Plainview Road 0.9 mi 1m
60th Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
South Blue Grass Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 70.8 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Garonne Street

67 ft · 8 sec · West Garonne Street
2

Turn left onto CR Y40

0.5 mi · 57 sec · South Mississippi Street
3

Continue on CR Y40

4.5 mi · 7 min · 70th Avenue
4

Continue on CR Y40

0.5 mi · 56 sec · South Blue Grass Road
5

Continue on CR Y40

0.5 mi · 57 sec · 70th Avenue
6

Turn left onto CR F58; US 6 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · 200th Street
7

Turn right onto CR Y40

0.6 mi · 1 min · 60th Avenue
8

Continue on CR Y40

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Plainview Road
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
10

Merge onto I 80; US 6

44 mi · 48 min · I 80; US 6
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
13

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

71 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

2.9 mi · 4 min · I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
15

Continue on Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
16

Turn left onto West 4th Street

398 ft · 13 sec · West 4th Street
17

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 2-hour and 5-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. There are no specific stops recommended, so you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since there's no highway driving; you'll want to ensure you have enough to cover the 128.3 miles. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads – South Mississippi Street, 70th Avenue, and South Blue Grass Road – before you depart to anticipate the frequent turns.

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 64.1 miles from Blue Grass, IA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 28 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.1 miles or 1h 17m 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 2m

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 Blue Grass, 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 Blue Grass, IA

This is one driving day of about 128.3 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Blue Grass, 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 70.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Rapids, IA

64 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

Tipton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Liberty, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from Blue Grass, 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 70.8 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

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 73.3

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+13193663177

Visit website

Black Sheep Social Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.6 mi

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 73.3

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1 mi

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.9 mi

Cobble Hill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive mile 73.3

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 73.3

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 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+13192005558

Visit website

Mikhael's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13193663644

Visit website

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195192765

Brewhemia

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193640802

Visit website

Cedar Ridge Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 64.1

Swisher, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13198574300

Visit website

Lucky's on 16th

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13192004590

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.3

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 73.3

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 ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

Visit website

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Opus Concert Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13193668203

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 55

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 73.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 45.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 9.2

Walcott, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 128.3

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 45.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 91.6

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 55

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 128.3

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 55

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 55

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.3

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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.8 — 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 | CR Y40 / South Mississippi Street

Turn left onto CR Y40 / South Mississippi Street

Navigation decision point

4
6.1 mi into trip | ~10m in | CR F58; US 6 Hist / 200th Street

Turn left onto CR F58; US 6 Hist / 200th Street

Navigation decision point

5
53.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

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

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
53.4 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

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

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
6
124.8 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.06 one way

$40.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.02 $44.05
premium $4.89 $24.69 $49.38
diesel $5.61 $28.33 $56.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.5 0 $13.47 $6.16
Efficient EV 32.1 0 $11.23 $5.13
EV Truck/SUV 51.3 0 $17.96 $8.21

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% 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

Blue Grass, IA

Night in Blue Grass on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Mostly Cloudy

NW 15 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Night in Waterloo on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

33°F

Partly Cloudy

NW 17 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

4 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 30m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 128.3-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and rural areas, with frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a dynamic driving experience. You'll likely encounter varied road conditions and speed limits typical of local and county roads as you make your way from Blue Grass to Waterloo.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.8 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR Y40 / South Mississippi Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 128.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (CR Y40 / South Mississippi Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (CR F58; US 6 Hist / 200th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 128.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR Y40 / South Mississippi Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (CR F58; US 6 Hist / 200th Street): Navigation decision point; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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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