Origin
Waterloo, IA
Late night in Waterloo on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterloo, IA to Earlham, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
140.5 mi
226 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Earlham, IA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Waterloo to Earlham is 140.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 59 minutes via IA 330 and I-80, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a fairly straightforward drive that doesn't involve significant elevation changes. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points with minimal fuss. The majority of the drive is on highways, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B.
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
70.2 miles from Waterloo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 330 | 35.9 mi | 42m |
| I 80 | 24.5 mi | 27m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| Sanford Avenue | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| US 65 | 13 mi | 15m |
| 240th Street | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| N Avenue | 4.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
IA 330
— 35.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo, IA and Earlham, 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
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
10
Turn left onto IA 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
N Avenue
11
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
12
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road T37
13
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
M Avenue
14
Turn right onto IA 14; IA 175
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
240th Street
15
Turn left onto IA 14
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Sanford Avenue
16
Turn right onto IA 330
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
160th Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
18
Continue on IA 330
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Marsh Avenue
19
Turn right onto IA 330
36 mi
·
42 min
·
IA 330
20
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward CR P57: Earlham
24
Turn left onto CR P57
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I Avenue
25
Continue on CR P57
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
County Road P57
26
Continue on North Chestnut Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Chestnut Avenue
27
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
388 ft
·
22 sec
·
Northwest 2nd Street
28
Turn left onto Northwest Locust Avenue
240 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northwest Locust Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Northwest Locust Avenue
Trip Plan
This is a one-day drive, so leaving Waterloo mid-morning should get you to Earlham with plenty of daylight to spare. With a duration under 3 hours, you likely won't need extensive stops, but there's one marked stop along the way if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22 for the 140.5 miles. The longest stretch on IA 330 is nearly 36 miles, so be sure you're comfortable with that segment before you start if you prefer more frequent breaks. This route is flexible due to its short length, allowing for spontaneous detours if time permits.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.2 miles from Waterloo, IA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 miles or 1h 34m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Earlham, 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 140.5 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 IA 330 for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.2 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 119.4 — 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
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
22.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
7
100.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
7
119.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.97 one way
$43.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.12 | $48.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.04 | $54.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.02 | $62.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.75 | $6.74 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.67 | $8.99 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Earlham, IA
Late night in Earlham on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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 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 59m 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?
You'll spend about 52% of your 140.5 miles on highways, primarily I-80. The longest continuous stretch without a significant road change is 35.9 miles on IA 330. Expect a mixed driving experience, transitioning from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The interstate portion will feel familiar with consistent speeds and frequent exits, while the surface roads will offer a more rural feel.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on IA 330.
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 early in the drive near Washington Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 140.5 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: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: 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.
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 Earlham, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Grundy Center along the way.
Grundy Center
22.8 mi in
|
~29m
About the Cities
Starting in Waterloo, IA
Full guide →Waterloo is a city of 68,000 people (2020) in of Black Hawk County in Northeast Iowa. It adjoins the city of Cedar Falls. It is home to an important John Deere tractor factory, which offers tours.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 140.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on IA 330. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Earlham, 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: near the start (Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Earlham, 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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