Trip from Rock Rapids, 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

5h 26m

Distance

284.7 mi

458 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

23 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 13m ★

6 AM

5h 26m

8 AM

5h 53m

10 AM

5h 36m

12 PM

5h 33m

3 PM

5h 37m

5 PM

5h 52m

8 PM

5h 18m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Rock Rapids, IA

Horst Joachims

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Rock Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA covers 284.7 miles and takes about 5h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90 Business, US 18, I 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.2 miles on I 90 Business. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.51 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

142.3 miles from Rock Rapids, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90 Business	115.2 mi	2h 4m
US 18	81.7 mi	1h 34m
I 35	40.3 mi	43m
State Highway 9	19.8 mi	27m
US 59	6.3 mi	8m
Leo P Rooff Expressway	5.8 mi	6m
MN 60	5.1 mi	5m
IA 60	4.8 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 90 Business — 115.2 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rock Rapids, IA and Waterloo, IA.

Start on US 75

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Union Street

Turn right onto IA 9

0.5 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue

Continue on IA 9

0.5 mi · 1 min · North 2nd Avenue East

Continue on IA 9

20 mi · 27 min · State Highway 9

Continue on IA 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Ia 9th Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 26 sec

Toward Iowa 60: Worthington MN

Merge onto IA 60

4.8 mi · 5 min · IA 60

Continue on MN 60

5.1 mi · 5 min · MN 60

Continue on US 59; MN 60

5.5 mi · 6 min · US 59; MN 60

Enter roundabout onto US 59; MN 60

113 ft · 6 sec · US 59; MN 60

Continue on US 59; MN 60

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 59; MN 60

Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business; MN 60

95 ft · 5 sec · I 90 Business; MN 60

Continue on I 90 Business; MN 60

0.5 mi · 52 sec · I 90 Business; MN 60

Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business

246 ft · 14 sec · I 90 Business

Toward I 90: Albert Lea

Continue on I 90 Business

115 mi · 2 hr 3 min · I 90 Business

Toward I 90: Albert Lea

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

40 mi · 43 min · I 35

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

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

Take the exit

317 ft · 7 sec

Toward US 218 south: Waterloo

Continue on US 218

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 218

Toward US 218 south: Waterloo

Merge onto US 218

5.8 mi · 6 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

Turn straight onto Washington Street

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Washington Street

Turn right onto West 4th Street

76 ft · 2 sec · West 4th Street

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

Trip Plan

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 142.3 miles from Rock Rapids, IA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.2 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 63 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 25m

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 Rock Rapids, 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 Rock Rapids, IA

This is one driving day of about 284.7 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Rock Rapids, 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 I 90 Business for about 115.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Forest City, IA

142 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.

Popular next leg

Forest City, IA to Waterloo, IA

114.1 mi · 2h 18m

Pacing Suggestions

Jackson, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mason City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.3 miles from Rock Rapids, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.2 miles.

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.

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 203.3

Mason City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 264.3

Shell Rock, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 203.3

Mason City, Iowa

1.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.9 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.6 and 284.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

23.6 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the ramp toward Iowa 60: Worthington MN

Navigation decision point

Toward Iowa 60: Worthington MN

40.8 mi into trip | ~54m in | I 90 Business

Enter roundabout onto I 90 Business toward I 90: Albert Lea

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 90: Albert Lea

155.4 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

196.2 mi into trip | ~3h 42m 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...

284.1 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.51 one way

$89.02 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$48.87	$97.74
premium	$4.89	$54.79	$109.58
diesel	$5.61	$62.86	$125.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Hy-Vee Grocery Store - Tesla Supercharger

Worthington, MN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Sherburn, MN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Trails Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Albert Lea, MN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Hy-Vee Waterloo - Tesla Supercharger

Waterloo, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Ground Round Grill & Bar - Tesla Supercharger

Worthington, MN

Tesla

6 DCFC

Casey's Worthington #3 (Worthington, MN)

Worthington, MN

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Casey's Albert Lea (Albert Lea, MN)

Albert Lea, MN

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 407

Clear Lake, IA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 5 ChargePoint Network: 4 EV Connect: 3 CHARGELAB: 3 Electrify America: 2 ZEFNET: 2 Blink Network: 2 eVgo Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.4	1	$29.89	$13.67
Efficient EV	71.2	0	$24.91	$11.39
EV Truck/SUV	113.9	1	$39.86	$18.22

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 19, 2026

Origin

Rock Rapids, IA

Morning in Rock Rapids on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

31°F

Chance Snow Showers

W 5 mph 12% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:13AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:10AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Morning in Waterloo on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

32°F

Mostly Clear

WSW 8 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:13AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 2:10AM CDT until April 20 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

71°F

Forest City, IA

142 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

1 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 26m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

284.7 mi in 5h 26m, mostly highway — 115.2 mi of that is on I 90 Business.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 115.2 mi on I 90 Business.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 Business and US 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 23.6 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 5h 26m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 40.8 miles (I 90 Business): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 155.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Rock Rapids, IA and Waterloo, IA, road signs point toward Iowa 60: Worthington and Charles City.

Iowa 60: Worthington

23.6 mi in | ~33m

Charles City

196.2 mi in | ~3h 42m | via US 18; IA 27

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 284.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.2 miles on I 90 Business. 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Rock Rapids, IA or browse trips ending in Waterloo, IA.

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Trip from Rock Rapids, IA to Waterloo, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Shell Recharge Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Rest Area (I-90 East Bound)

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Worthington Welcome Center

Iowa Welcome Center

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Rest Area

Des Moines River Rest Area (I-90 West Bound)

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Rock Rapids, IA

Waterloo, IA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 26m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Waterloo, IA

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