Waterloo, IA Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Waterloo, IA is a convenient base with 85 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 98 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Waterloo, IA spread mainly west and south, covering a wide geographic range.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

85

Longest Drive

287.7 mi

Hamburg, IA

Quickest Drive

34m

Traer, IA

Plan Around Waterloo, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Waterloo, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Hamburg, IA to Waterloo, IA 287.7 mi · 5h 35m George, IA to Waterloo, IA 250 mi · 5h 15m Red Oak, IA to Waterloo, IA 229.5 mi · 4h 53m Villisca, IA to Waterloo, IA 224.8 mi · 4h 40m

Continue From Waterloo, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Waterloo, IA to Akron, IA 241.6 mi · 4h 56m Waterloo, IA to Alton, IA 226.7 mi · 4h 36m Waterloo, IA to Arnolds Park, IA 203.4 mi · 4h 25m Waterloo, IA to Burlington, IA 156.5 mi · 3h 1m

Trips from Waterloo, IA

Waterloo, IA to Akron, IA

241.6 mi 4h 56m

Waterloo, IA to Alton, IA

226.7 mi 4h 36m

Waterloo, IA to Arnolds Park, IA

203.4 mi 4h 25m

Waterloo, IA to Burlington, IA

156.5 mi 3h 1m

Waterloo, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA

149 mi 3h 13m

Waterloo, IA to Bloomfield, IA

135.1 mi 3h 11m

Waterloo, IA to Davenport, IA

134.5 mi 2h 39m

Waterloo, IA to Urbandale, IA

114.3 mi 2h 30m

Waterloo, IA to Ames, IA

100.9 mi 1h 34m

Waterloo, IA to Tipton, IA

95.2 mi 1h 55m

Waterloo, IA to Belmond, IA

86.2 mi 1h 57m

Waterloo, IA to Iowa City, IA

81.9 mi 1h 38m

Waterloo, IA to North English, IA

80.9 mi 2h 2m

Waterloo, IA to Webster City, IA

79.7 mi 1h 36m

Waterloo, IA to Solon, IA

71.6 mi 1h 30m

Waterloo, IA to Anamosa, IA

69 mi 1h 26m

Waterloo, IA to Brooklyn, IA

65.4 mi 1h 36m

Waterloo, IA to Springville, IA

61.5 mi 1h 14m

Driving from Waterloo, IA

On average, trips departing from Waterloo, IA run 98 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 3m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 242 miles (4h 56m), while the shortest is just 24 miles.

Popular Destinations

Top road trip destinations from Waterloo, IA are Akron, IA (241.6 mi, 4h 56m), Alton, IA (226.7 mi, 4h 36m), Arnolds Park, IA (203.4 mi, 4h 25m), Burlington, IA (156.5 mi, 3h 1m), and Buffalo (historical), IA (149 mi, 3h 13m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 98-mile trip from Waterloo, IA, budget about $15 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 25 mapped routes leaving Waterloo, IA and 60 routes heading into Waterloo, IA, covering 85 total connections. Distances range from 24 to 242 miles.

The longest mapped route from Waterloo, IA covers 242 miles and takes approximately 4h 56m. Shorter options start at just 24 miles.

The average route from Waterloo, IA runs about 98 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 3m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 98-mile trip from Waterloo, IA costs roughly $15 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Waterloo, IA include Akron, IA, Alton, IA, Arnolds Park, IA and Burlington, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.