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Trip from Waterloo, IA to Alton, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 36m

Distance

226.7 mi

365 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 23m ★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m

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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city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

human settlement in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Alton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 226.7-mile journey from Waterloo, IA to Alton, IA offers a manageable one-day road trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Avenue of the Saints, Highway 20, and State Highway 140, with about 16% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, this Midwest to Midwest route is an economical option. The drive has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, suggesting a more engaging experience than a straight interstate cruise. You'll find this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility without the need for an overnight stop.

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

113.3 miles from Waterloo, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 155.2 mi 2h 59m
Highway 20 19 mi 22m
State Highway 140 15.1 mi 20m
County Road L14 7 mi 9m
160th Street 6.4 mi 7m
Lee Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
Kiwi Avenue 5 mi 6m
West 4th Street 2.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 155.2 mi, about 2h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 4th Street

76 ft · 6 sec · West 4th Street
2

Turn right onto Washington Street

384 ft · 10 sec · Washington Street
3

Turn right onto West 5th Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · West 5th Street
4

Continue on West 4th Street

2.4 mi · 4 min · West 4th Street
5

Turn slight right onto West Ridgeway Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Ridgeway Avenue
6

Turn left onto US 63

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto US 20; IA 27

155 mi · 2 hr 59 min · Avenue of the Saints
9

Continue on US 20

6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street
10

Continue on US 20

1.9 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 20
11

Continue on US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20
12

Turn right onto L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
13

Continue on Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue
14

Turn left onto C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
15

Turn right onto IA 140

15 mi · 20 min · State Highway 140
16

Continue on L14

7.0 mi · 9 min · County Road L14
17

Continue on L14

5.0 mi · 6 min · Kiwi Avenue
18

At end of road, turn left onto IA 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
19

Continue on IA 10

0.3 mi · 27 sec · State Highway 10
20

Turn left onto East Division Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Division Street
21

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · 3rd Avenue
22

Turn left onto West 10th Street

156 ft · 8 sec · West 10th Street
23

Turn right

112 ft · 8 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a 4-hour and 36-minute duration, this 226.7-mile trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any spontaneous stops. The route includes one recommended stop, which is ample for a drive of this length, but you can always pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 155.2 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, to ensure smooth travel. The $35 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for budgeting this efficient, Midwest drive.

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 113.3 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.2 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 50 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, IA

This is one driving day of about 226.7 miles and 4h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Waterloo, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 155.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Webster City, IA

113 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

Iowa Falls, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jefferson, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.3 miles from Waterloo, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.2 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.

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 81

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 145.7

Early, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 64.8

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 97.1

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 97.1

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 223.3 — 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 | Washington Street

Turn right onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 5th Street

Turn right onto West 5th Street

Navigation decision point

4
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 63 / Sergeant Road

Turn left onto US 63 / Sergeant Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
223.3 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | IA 10 / 460th Street

At end of road, turn left onto IA 10 / 460th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.44 one way

$70.88 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.91 $77.83
premium $4.89 $43.63 $87.25
diesel $5.61 $50.05 $100.11

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

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68 0 $23.80 $10.88
Efficient EV 56.7 0 $19.84 $9.07
EV Truck/SUV 90.7 1 $31.74 $14.51

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Waterloo, IA

Night in Waterloo on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alton, IA

Night in Alton on Saturday

Local time

9:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

21 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 36m 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?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience on this 226.7-mile route, rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While 16% of your travel will be on highways, much of the drive will involve navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 155.2 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, offering a good opportunity to settle in. This profile suggests a route where you'll be actively engaged with the road, with frequent changes in direction and potentially varied scenery as you traverse the Midwest.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.2 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Washington Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 36m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 63 / Sergeant Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 226.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (16%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 155.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.

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 (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 63 / Sergeant Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Alton, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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