Origin
Lake Mills, IA
Late night in Lake Mills on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Mills, 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
2h 24m
Distance
119.3 mi
192 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Mills, IA
Tom Fisk
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lake Mills, IA to Waterloo, IA is 119.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m via US 18 and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, offering a straightforward journey across Iowa. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. With a duration under three hours and a low fuel cost, this route is perfect for a spontaneous day trip or a quick connection between these two Iowa communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.7 miles from Lake Mills, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 18 | 81.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 17.3 mi | 18m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| 410th Street | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Bluebill Avenue | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| County Road 105 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| County Highway 105 | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Western Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Mills, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on US 69
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on CR 105
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 105
3
Continue on CR 105; I 35 ALT
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 105
4
Turn right onto Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Bluebill Avenue
5
Continue on North Western Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Western Street
6
Turn left onto CR A38
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
410th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Blanco River
8
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
10
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
11
Take the exit
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
12
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
13
Merge onto US 218
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
15
Turn straight onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Washington Street
16
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 4th Street
17
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 24m duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving mid-morning allows you to avoid any early rush and still arrive with ample daylight. With only 119.3 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimated at $19, you won't need to worry about frequent fuel stops. The longest stretch without a break is over 80 miles on US 18, so plan your comfort stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Consider packing snacks and drinks, as dedicated services might be spaced out on the longer highway 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 59.7 miles from Lake Mills, IA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 26 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 14m 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 58m
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 Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, IA
This is one driving day of about 119.3 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lake Mills, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 18 for about 81.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.7 miles from Lake Mills, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 18 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 119.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
CR A38 / 410th Street
Turn left onto CR A38 / 410th Street
Navigation decision point
4
13.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the ramp toward Blanco River
Navigation decision point
Toward Blanco River
5
30.9 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
5
118.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers C...
5
119.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.65 one way
$37.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.48 | $40.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 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 | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.70 | $7.64 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Late night in Waterloo on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 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
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
2h 24m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 74% of the journey on faster roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 18, including an uninterrupted stretch of 81.7 miles, which sets a consistent pace. The Avenue of the Saints and Leo P Rooff Expressway also contribute to the highway feel, ensuring a smooth and direct progression. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads, making for a predictable and easy-to-navigate trip.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on US 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in near CR A38 / 410th Street.
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 2h 24m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles (CR A38 / 410th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): 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.
Between Lake Mills, IA and Waterloo, IA, road signs point toward Blanco River and Charles City.
Blanco River
13.4 mi in
|
~22m
Charles City
30.9 mi in
|
~41m
|
via US 18; IA 27
About the Cities
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 2h 24m. Total distance: 119.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.7 miles on US 18. 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: at 8 miles (CR A38 / 410th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): 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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