Origin
Monticello, IA
Night in Monticello on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, 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
1h 35m
Distance
74.3 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, IA
Serena Koi
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Monticello, IA to Waterloo, IA is 74.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via US 20 and I-380, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Iowa, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a consistent pace. The relatively short distance and clear route mean you can get on your way with minimal fuss. Consider this route if you need a quick and efficient connection between these two Midwest locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Monticello, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 49.4 mi | 56m |
| State Highway 38 | 18.2 mi | 27m |
| I 380 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North Cedar Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Market Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 49.4 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on North Maple Street
73 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Maple Street
2
Turn right onto IA 38
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
East 1st Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto IA 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cedar Street
4
Continue on IA 38
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 38
5
Continue on IA 38
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
3rd Street
6
Continue on IA 38
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 38
7
Continue on IA 38
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Market Street
8
Turn right onto IA 38
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
3rd Street
9
Continue on IA 38
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 38
10
Continue on IA 38
434 ft
·
13 sec
·
5th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
12
Merge onto US 20
49 mi
·
56 min
·
US 20
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
14
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
15
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
16
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given this trip is only 1 hour and 35 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning is a good option, allowing you to avoid rush hour and giving you ample time to reach Waterloo before evening. With no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel and restroom break if needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you hit I-380. The fuel cost is estimated at $12, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart Monticello to avoid any unexpected stops.
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 37.2 miles from Monticello, IA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.4 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 50m 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 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 Monticello, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monticello, IA
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Monticello, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 49.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from Monticello, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 70.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 38 / East 1st Street
Turn right onto IA 38 / East 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 38 / North Cedar Street
At end of road, turn right onto IA 38 / North Cedar Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.2 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
21.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 20
Merge onto US 20
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
70.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
$11.62 one way
$23.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.75 | $25.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.40 | $32.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.57 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.50 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Manchester, IA
37 mi in
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
21 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
1h 35m 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 drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 95% of the route utilizing major roads like US 20 and I-380. You'll experience a consistent pace for nearly the entire journey, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 49.4 miles on US 20. While the primary roads offer efficiency, expect a typical highway environment rather than winding country lanes. The transition from US 20 to I-380 is seamless, keeping you moving forward without significant changes in road character.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.4 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and State Highway 38. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 38 / East 1st Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Monticello, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 35m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 38 / East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 38 / North Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.4 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 38 / East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 38 / North Cedar Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
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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