Traveling from Waterloo to Burlington spans 156.5 miles across the heart of the Iowa Midwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 1 minute of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a comfortable day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a combination of I-380, the Avenue of the Saints, and US-34 to navigate between these two cities. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the route offers a straightforward path through the state. Expect a mix of major corridors and local segments that make this a practical transit option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.2 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
119.4 mi
2h 14m
US 34
27 mi
32m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
Washington Street
2.7 mi
4m
North Central Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West 4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
South Central Avenue
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 119.4 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Burlington, IA.
1
Start on West 4th Street
76 ft·6 sec·West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto Washington Street
2.7 mi·4 min·Washington Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
116 mi·2 hr 10 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218; IA 27
3.6 mi·4 min·Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
27 mi·31 min·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 262BToward Central Ave
9
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
10
Arrive at destination
South Central Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for a single stop to break up the drive, especially if you want to avoid fatigue during the shift to the turn-heavy local sections. Since the total trip is manageable within one day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though hitting the road mid-morning can help you avoid rush hour near the larger transit hubs. Keep your estimated $24 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the Avenue of the Saints. Given that the route is fairly direct, ensure you stay alert during the transition off the main highway to safely manage the more technical turns near Burlington. Having this flexibility allows you to pace your travel comfortably without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary.
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 78.2 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, 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 156.5 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 119.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 155.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
6
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Bu...
7
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
5
155.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward Central Ave
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 262B
Toward Central Ave
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.47 one way
$48.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.86
$53.73
premium
$4.89
$30.12
$60.23
diesel
$5.61
$34.55
$69.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.43
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Night
in Waterloo on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 12 to 17 mph64% chanceLive 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
Burlington, IA
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
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
3h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that transitions from high-speed highway travel to a more technical, turn-heavy local experience as you approach your destination. While the route involves a 21% highway share, you will spend the bulk of your time on the Avenue of the Saints, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 119.4 miles. This primary artery provides a consistent pace before the road character shifts. Once you leave the major corridors, the drive demands more focus as you navigate the tighter turns characteristic of local Iowa roads. You will find that the personality of the route evolves significantly from the initial straightaways to the more winding final segments.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.4 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 380.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waterloo, IA to Burlington, IA, road signs begin pointing toward 163 East: Mount Pleasant along the way.
163 East: Mount Pleasant
128.6 mi in|~2h 26m|via US 34; IA 163
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 156.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.4 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: at 2.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Burlington, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
