Spanning 250 miles across the Iowa landscape, this route from George to Waterloo is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily handle this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget about $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Midwest, your path primarily utilizes 220th Street, 20th Avenue, and State Highway 3. While the drive is quite doable in a single push, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads demands your full attention behind the wheel. It is a practical choice if you prefer staying off the major interstates and getting a closer look at the heart of the state.
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
125 miles from George, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
153.8 mi
2h 57m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
IA 60 Business
7.5 mi
9m
320th Street
6.3 mi
8m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
D Avenue
5.7 mi
7m
L14
5.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 153.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between George, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
377 ft·17 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Boiler Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Virginia Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
4
Continue on L14
5.7 mi·8 min·L14
5
Continue on CR L14
3.8 mi·5 min·Kennedy Avenue
6
Continue on CR L14
0.5 mi·1 min·Colfax Street
7
Turn left onto US 18; CR L14
6.0 mi·8 min·320th Street
8
Continue on US 18
0.7 mi·58 sec·West Park Street
9
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi·29 sec·320th Street
10
Turn right onto Western Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20
360 ft·10 sec·West 16th Street
12
Turn right onto IA 60 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
13
Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·IA 60 Business
14
Turn left onto L22
5.6 mi·7 min·Log Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
16
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
17
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
18
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
20
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
21
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
22
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
23
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
24
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
25
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
26
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
27
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
28
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
29
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
30
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
31
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
154 mi·2 hr 57 min·220th Street
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
34
Turn slight right
120 ft·6 sec
35
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi·5 min·Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft·9 sec·University Avenue
37
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 63
38
Turn right
0.1 mi·10 sec
39
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Washington Street
40
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft·2 sec·West 4th Street
41
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
For a smooth journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the 5-hour and 15-minute drive. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, departing early in the day is your best strategy to ensure you navigate the turns in clear daylight conditions. Keep your fuel level monitored, as the $38 cost estimate assumes consistent travel; having a bit of extra cushion is always wise when navigating rural stretches. Given that this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or weather. Most importantly, remain mindful of the 153.8-mile segment on 220th Street, as this long stretch will dictate the majority of your travel time and fatigue levels.
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 125 miles from George, IA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.8 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 55 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
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 George, 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 George, IA
This is one driving day of about 250 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from George, 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 220th Street for about 153.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 250 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Boiler Avenue
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
19 mi into trip|~29m in|CR B20 / West 16th Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20 / West 16th Street
Navigation decision point
6
27.2 mi into trip|~39m in|L22 / Log Avenue
Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
37.8 mi into trip|~54m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
250 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.08 one way
$78.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.91
$85.83
premium
$4.89
$48.11
$96.22
diesel
$5.61
$55.20
$110.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.25
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.88
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$35.00
$16.00
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
George, IA
Late night
in George on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Late night
in Waterloo on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
S 15 mph1% chanceLive 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
3 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
5h 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy, local-road profile rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 8% of the trip spent on highways, you will spend most of your time on secondary roads that require constant engagement. The most significant portion of your journey is a 153.8-mile stretch on 220th Street, which serves as the backbone of your travel. Because you aren't relying on high-speed expressways, the pace feels deliberate and connected to the local geography. Be prepared for a road environment that shifts frequently, requiring you to remain alert as you navigate the transition from George toward Waterloo.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.8 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 0.1 miles in near East Boiler Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Boiler Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 153.8 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Boiler Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waterloo, IA before the return drive.
