Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Le Claire, 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 16m

Distance

143.5 mi

231 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
human settlement in Scott County, Iowa, United States of America

Le Claire, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 143.5-mile drive from Le Claire, IA, to Waterloo, IA, will take you about 2 hours and 16 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via North Cody Road and I 380, with a portion on Avenue of the Saints. Given its relatively short duration and the $22 estimated fuel cost, this route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll experience a variety of road types rather than a monotonous highway stretch. It's a straightforward journey that doesn't require an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

71.8 miles from Le Claire, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Cody Road — —
I 380 — —
Avenue of the Saints — —
I-380 north — —
Washington Street — —
West 4th Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: North Cody Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Le Claire, IA and Waterloo, IA.

1

Start on Jones Street

46 ft · 9 sec · Jones Street
2

Turn left onto North Cody Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Cody Road
3

Take the ramp right

0.5 mi · 1 min
4

Merge slight left

66 mi · 1 hr 13 min
5

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

0.4 mi · 45 sec · I 380, US 218, IA 27
6

Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
7

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

71 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
8

Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

2.9 mi · 4 min · I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
9

Continue on Washington Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
10

Turn left onto West 4th Street

397 ft · 13 sec · West 4th Street
11

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

With a total distance of 143.5 miles and a duration of around 2 hours and 16 minutes, this trip offers flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, as it's easily manageable in a single day. The estimated fuel cost is $22, so factor that into your budget. Since there are no designated stops provided in the data and the drive is relatively short, you can decide on breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making numerous directional changes throughout the journey, especially when transitioning from North Cody Road to I 380 and Avenue of the Saints.

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 71.8 miles from Le Claire, IA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.

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 32 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 52m

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 Le Claire, 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 Le Claire, IA

This is one driving day of about 143.5 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Le Claire, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Rapids, IA

72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.8 miles from Le Claire, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195192765

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.9 mi

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.5

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tiffin, Iowa

1.2 mi

392Caffe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

1.9 mi

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195192765

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13195504517

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 82

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+13198412151

Visit website

Copper Boar American Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196650008

Visit website

Oscar's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.3

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13193788885

Visit website

Cracken's Grill

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13192597411

Visit website

Sushiya

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+13196266666

Visit website

Mirabito's Italian

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13194591342

Visit website

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 71.8

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

392Caffe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.3

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15632651290

Visit website

Coffee Apothecary

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.3

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–3:30 pm

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13192598505

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 92.3

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 61.5

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 143.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 102.5

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 61.5

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 143.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.8

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.8

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.3

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 71.8

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.43 one way

$44.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.63 $49.26
premium $4.89 $27.62 $55.23
diesel $5.61 $31.68 $63.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.1 0 $15.07 $6.89
Efficient EV 35.9 0 $12.56 $5.74
EV Truck/SUV 57.4 0 $20.09 $9.18

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Le Claire, IA

Night in Le Claire on Saturday

Local time

11:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Night in Waterloo on Saturday

Local time

11:17 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

17 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 16m 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' on this 143.5-mile journey, with a 0% highway share. This means you won't be on high-speed interstates for extended periods. Instead, anticipate a more engaged driving experience with frequent turns as you transition between North Cody Road, Avenue of the Saints, and I 380. The absence of a 'longest_stretch' figure in the data implies a dynamic route with regular changes in direction and potentially varied road conditions. This character makes the 2 hour and 16 minute duration feel more like a series of connected local explorations rather than a long, straight haul.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: North Cody Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Le Claire, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Le Claire, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 143.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Le Claire, IA to Waterloo, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Waterloo, IA

Akron, IA 241.6 mi · 4h 56m Alton, IA 226.7 mi · 4h 36m Arnolds Park, IA 203.4 mi · 4h 25m Buffalo (historical), IA 149 mi · 3h 13m

More trips to Waterloo, IA

Hamburg, IA 287.7 mi George, IA 250 mi Red Oak, IA 229.5 mi Villisca, IA 224.8 mi Corning, IA 209.6 mi Avoca, IA 204.6 mi
Escape planner: Le Claire, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Le Claire, IA or browse trips ending in Waterloo, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.