Trip from Waterloo, IA to Brooklyn, 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 36m

Distance

65.4 mi

105 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 30m ★

6 AM

1h 37m

8 AM

1h 52m

10 AM

1h 42m

12 PM

1h 41m

3 PM

1h 43m

5 PM

1h 51m

8 PM

1h 33m

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

Brooklyn, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Waterloo to Brooklyn, Iowa, you can expect a straightforward 65.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to complete without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will rely on a combination of Holsted Street, Hawkeye Road, and State Highway 21 to reach your destination. This trip offers a practical, no-fuss connection between these two Iowa communities, making it an efficient choice for travelers who prefer a quick and direct transit.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

32.7 miles from Waterloo, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Holsted Street	20.3 mi	29m
Hawkeye Road	11 mi	16m
State Highway 21	10.5 mi	15m
US 6	8.8 mi	12m
B Avenue	5.8 mi	8m
58th Street	2.5 mi	3m
11th Avenue	1.5 mi	2m
West 11th Street	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Holsted Street — 20.3 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West 4th Street

76 ft · 6 sec · West 4th Street

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Washington Street

Turn right onto West 11th Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · West 11th Street

At end of road, turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Ridgeway Avenue

Turn sharp left onto Hammond Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Hammond Avenue

Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive

0.5 mi · 58 sec · East San Marnan Drive

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Hawkeye Road

11 mi · 16 min · Hawkeye Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on IA 21

8.0 mi · 12 min · State Highway 21

At end of road, turn left onto IA 8; IA 21

2.5 mi · 3 min · 58th Street

Turn right onto IA 21

20 mi · 29 min · Holsted Street

Turn right onto IA 21

0.8 mi · 1 min · 7th Avenue

Continue on IA 21

1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue

Continue on IA 21

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 21

Keep slight right at fork onto IA 21

1.4 mi · 2 min · State Highway 21

Continue on IA 21

5.8 mi · 8 min · B Avenue

Turn right onto US 6

8.8 mi · 12 min · US 6

Turn left onto CR V18

0.5 mi · 53 sec · 175th Street

Continue on CR V18

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Jackson Street

Arrive at destination

CR V18

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 1 hour and 36-minute drive in one go, as there are no mandatory stops required for this 65.4-mile trek. To make the most of your travel, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, keeping the $10 fuel estimate in mind for your planning. Because you will be utilizing a mix of local roads like Hawkeye Road and State Highway 21, stay alert for changing speed limits as you move between residential and rural stretches. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your navigation active, as the transition between Holsted Street and the other secondary roads requires periodic turns.

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 32.7 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.3 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 14 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.7 miles or 49m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Waterloo, IA

This is one driving day of about 65.4 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Waterloo, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Holsted Street for about 20.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belle Plaine, IA

33 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

Orange, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dysart, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Waterloo, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 4.7

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 4.7

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 60.7

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 22.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | East Ridgeway Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto East Ridgeway Avenue

Navigation decision point

1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | Hammond Avenue

Turn sharp left onto Hammond Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | East San Marnan Drive

Turn right onto East San Marnan Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | Hawkeye Road

Turn left onto Hawkeye Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

22.3 mi into trip | ~35m in | IA 8; IA 21 / 58th Street

At end of road, turn left onto IA 8; IA 21 / 58th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.22 one way

$20.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$11.23	$22.45
premium	$4.89	$12.59	$25.17
diesel	$5.61	$14.44	$28.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	19.6	$6.87	$3.14
Efficient EV	16.4	$5.72	$2.62
EV Truck/SUV	26.2	$9.16	$4.19

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 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.

Forecast as of Apr 11, 2026

Origin

Waterloo, IA

Late night in Waterloo on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SE 12 to 17 mph 64% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 16 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Brooklyn, IA

Late night in Brooklyn on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Rain Showers Likely

SE 16 mph 58% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 16 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:19AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

48°F

Belle Plaine, IA

33 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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

1h 36m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This 65.4-mile drive features a mixed profile that keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. With a 30% highway share, you will transition between local roads and faster-paced segments throughout the journey. You should prepare for a consistent rhythm, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 20.3 miles while traveling on Holsted Street. Because the route relies on a blend of different road types, the driving experience shifts from the tighter pace of local streets to the more open flow of the state highway. It is a functional drive that requires steady attention as you navigate the transition between these different roadway environments.

30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

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

Longest single stretch: 20.3 mi on Holsted Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near East Ridgeway Avenue.

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 1h 36m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (East Ridgeway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (Hammond Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.7 miles (East San Marnan Drive): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 65.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (30%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 20.3 miles on Holsted Street. 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brooklyn, 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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Explore more options from Waterloo, IA or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Waterloo, IA to Brooklyn, 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

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Waterloo, IA

Brooklyn, IA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 36m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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

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