Abstract Background: Since 2014 GC, Ethiopia has been implementing maternity waiting homes to reduce maternal and prenatal mortality, though utilization varies markedly between facilities Objective: To determine utilization of maternity waiting home and associated factors among mothers of Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was conducted from September to November 2018. A total of 508 women participated in this study. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of the maternity waiting home. Bivariable analysis was executed and variables with a p-value <0.2 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were fitted in to the final multivariable regression analysis; p-value <0.05 was considered to identify significant independent predictors for maternity waiting home utilization. Results: Utilization of maternity waiting home was 32.7%. Independent predictors for maternity waiting home utilization were far distance (AOR=5.35, 95% CI: 3.24,8.84), more favorable attitude (AOR=8.31,95% CI:5.10,13.52), having information on maternity waiting home (AOR=3.08,95%CI:1.22,7.79) and age of women greater than median (AOR=1.90,95% CI:1.18,3.05). Conclusions: Maternity waiting home utilization is not as such encouraging. Information of women on maternity waiting home, women with more favorable attitude towards maternity waiting home, far distance between women’s home and health facilities and women with age greater than median were independent predictors to utilization of maternity waiting homes. Working on bringing attitudinal change of mothers towards maternity waiting home, accessing health information to women, accessing transport, road and health services are important. Attention has to be given for aged women since they could face more exposure to complications.