This 220.4-mile drive from Villisca, IA to Waterloo, IA will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's an economical option for a single-day trip within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile and zero highway share. You'll be navigating through Iowa the entire time, experiencing the heartland as you make your way northeast. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the journey. This trip is well-suited for a leisurely day out, allowing you to appreciate the local scenery without feeling rushed.
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
112.4 miles from Villisca, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 6
62 mi
1h 7m
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi
41m
US 71
32.6 mi
44m
I 80
18.9 mi
21m
US 20
18 mi
20m
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi
21m
650th Street
6.4 mi
8m
240th Street
6.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 62 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Villisca, IA and Waterloo, IA.
1
Start on East 3rd Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·East 3rd Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto South U Avenue
0.4 mi·57 sec·South U Avenue
3
Turn left onto West High Street
323 ft·10 sec·West High Street
4
Turn right onto US 71
33 mi·44 min·US 71
5
Turn right onto US 6; US 71
2.0 mi·2 min·East 7th Street
6
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi·8 min·650th Street
7
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 6
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
12
Continue on US 65; IA 330
35 mi·41 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
13
Turn left onto IA 330
5.9 mi·8 min·Marsh Avenue
14
Continue on IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on IA 330
4.3 mi·5 min·160th Street
16
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi·21 min·Sanford Avenue
17
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi·9 min·240th Street
18
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·M Avenue
19
Continue on County Road T37
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road T37
20
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·210th Street
21
Turn left onto IA 14
4.4 mi·6 min·N Avenue
22
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
23
Merge onto US 20
18 mi·20 min·US 20
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
25
Turn slight right
120 ft·6 sec
26
Turn straight onto US 63
3.8 mi·5 min·Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 63
388 ft·9 sec·University Avenue
28
Turn straight onto US 63
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 63
29
Turn right
0.1 mi·10 sec
30
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Washington Street
31
Turn right onto West 4th Street
76 ft·2 sec·West 4th Street
32
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3 hour and 48 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for your single planned stop. The $33 fuel cost is quite reasonable, so keep your tank topped up, but you shouldn't face any major refueling challenges. Since it's a turn-heavy local drive, pay close attention to your GPS and road signage, especially when navigating through towns on roads like South U Avenue and West High Street. This flexibility means you can adjust your timing as needed, perhaps stopping for a coffee or a quick stretch when you feel the need.
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 112.4 miles from Villisca, IA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
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 Villisca, 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 Villisca, IA
This is one driving day of about 224.8 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Villisca, 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 US 6 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 195.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in|South U Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South U Avenue
Navigation decision point
9
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
5
195.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|210th Street
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.14 one way
$70.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.59
$77.18
premium
$4.89
$43.26
$86.52
diesel
$5.61
$49.63
$99.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.67
$8.99
EV Truck/SUV
89.9
1
$31.47
$14.39
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Villisca, IA
Night
in Villisca on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Night
in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 18 mph23% chanceLive 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
6 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
4h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a decidedly local driving experience on this route, with a 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments. With 0% highway share, you won't encounter any high-speed interstate segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the character suggests a winding path through towns and rural areas rather than long, straightaways. You'll likely be using South U Avenue, West High Street, and East 7th Street at different points, indicating a journey that weaves through communities. This is a drive where you'll need to stay engaged with your surroundings, as the road will likely change character frequently.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62 mi on US 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near South U Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 224.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South U Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 103.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Villisca, IA and Waterloo, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City and Bondurant.
Minneapolis
103.9 mi in|~2h 5m|via I 80
Kansas City
103.9 mi in|~2h 5m|via I 80
Bondurant
122.8 mi in|~2h 27m|via US 65
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 224.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62 miles on US 6. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waterloo, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South U Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 103.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Waterloo, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
