Origin
Burlington, IA
Night in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burlington, 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
3h 1m
Distance
156.1 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burlington, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 156.1-mile drive from Burlington, Iowa, to Waterloo, Iowa, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's an economical option for a day trip within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes Avenue of the Saints and I-380, offering a mix of road types. Given its manageable length and the single recommended stop, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pacing. You'll find this drive to be a practical way to connect two points within the state of Iowa.
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
78.1 miles from Burlington, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 124.8 mi | 2h 20m |
| US 34 | 26.9 mi | 32m |
| I 380 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Central Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 4th 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 Burlington, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on South Central Avenue
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Central Avenue
2
Continue on North Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Central Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
4
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 34; IA 163
5
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
6
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27
123 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
9
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
10
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
11
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Planning this 3-hour drive from Burlington to Waterloo is simple. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for the single recommended stop. With a total distance of 156.1 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 124.8-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints, as fuel stops may be less frequent there. The estimated fuel cost of $24 makes this an affordable trip for a single day.
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 78.1 miles from 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 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 27m
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 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 Burlington, IA
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Burlington, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.8 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 152.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 34; IA 163
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
27.1 mi into trip
|
~32m 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...
4
29.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
152.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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
$24.40 one way
$48.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.80 | $53.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.46 | $68.93 |
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: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Night in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 1m 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 "turn-heavy local drive" for much of this 156.1-mile trip, though 19% of it is on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 124.8 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, offering a more continuous travel experience before transitioning to other roads. This route isn't a pure interstate cruise; instead, it weaves through local landscapes, requiring your attention more frequently. The road character shifts as you progress, moving from potentially more winding sections to straighter highway segments as you approach your destination.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.8 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
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 around 0.6 miles in.
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 3h 1m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (US 34; IA 163): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Burlington, IA to Waterloo, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.
Fairfield
27.1 mi in
|
~32m
|
via US 34; IA 163
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (US 34; IA 163): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Waterloo, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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