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Trip from Rockwell City, 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 28m

Distance

124.5 mi

200 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 22m

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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Downtown Rockwell City, IA, IA

Rockwell City, IA

Kelly

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward, highway-focused drive from Rockwell City, IA, to Waterloo, IA, covers 124.5 miles and takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of just $19. You'll spend 93% of your time on major highways, making for an efficient journey through the heart of the Midwest. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick, no-fuss connection between these two Iowa communities, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. With no recommended stops, you can easily complete this drive in one go.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

62.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 115.5 mi 2h 13m
Sergeant Road 3.8 mi 5m
Ogden Avenue 2.5 mi 3m
1st Street 1.2 mi 2m
US 63 0.3 mi <1m
Washington Street 0.2 mi <1m
Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
University Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 115.5 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City, IA and Waterloo, IA.

1

Start on 4th Street

191 ft · 10 sec · 4th Street
2

Turn right onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Main Street
3

Turn left onto 1st Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
4

Continue on N57

2.5 mi · 3 min · Ogden Avenue
5

Turn right onto US 20

116 mi · 2 hr 13 min · US 20
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
7

Turn slight right

120 ft · 6 sec
8

Turn straight onto US 63

3.8 mi · 5 min · Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
9

Turn right onto US 63

388 ft · 9 sec · University Avenue
10

Turn straight onto US 63

0.3 mi · 45 sec · US 63
11

Turn right

0.1 mi · 10 sec
12

Continue on Washington Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Washington Street
13

Turn right onto West 4th Street

76 ft · 2 sec · West 4th Street
14

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour and 28-minute duration and 124.5-mile distance, this route is easily accomplished in one day, so there's no need to plan for an overnight stay. You can depart Rockwell City at your convenience, as the drive is short enough to avoid the need for strict timing. With a fuel cost of around $19, budgeting is simple. The longest stretch on US 20 is over 115 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment to maintain a smooth, uninterrupted journey. Keep an eye out for any potential road work on US 20, as this is your primary artery for most of the trip.

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 62.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.5 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 27 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.3 miles or 1h 13m 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 59m

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 Rockwell City, 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 Rockwell City, IA

This is one driving day of about 124.5 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Rockwell City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 115.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Eldora, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eldora, IA

62 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

Eldora, IA to Waterloo, IA

46.9 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Dodge, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Iowa Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Rockwell City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.5 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.

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 44.5

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 44.5

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 124.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 124.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 26.7

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 26.7

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 44.5

Webster City, IA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 62.3

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.5 — 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 | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

3
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | 1st Street

Turn left onto 1st Street

Navigation decision point

4
119.4 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward US 63: Sergeant Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3
120 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | US 63 / Sergeant Road

Turn straight onto US 63 / Sergeant Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
124.5 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in | West 4th Street

Turn right onto West 4th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.46 one way

$38.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.37 $42.74
premium $4.89 $23.96 $47.92
diesel $5.61 $27.49 $54.98

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: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.4 0 $13.07 $5.98
Efficient EV 31.1 0 $10.89 $4.98
EV Truck/SUV 49.8 0 $17.43 $7.97

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Rockwell City, IA

Morning in Rockwell City on Sunday

Local time

8:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Morning in Waterloo on Sunday

Local time

8:41 AM

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

19 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 28m 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 predominantly highway experience on this route, with 93% of your travel occurring on major roads like US 20. The drive offers a long, uninterrupted stretch of 115.5 miles on US 20, minimizing the need for frequent turns or changes in road type. This means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and a straightforward driving environment for the majority of your trip. Sergeant Road and Ogden Avenue will make up the remaining portion, providing a brief transition before reaching Waterloo. It's a drive built for covering ground efficiently.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.5 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Sergeant Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Rockwell City, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 2h 28m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 124.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.5 miles on US 20. 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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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