How far is Adel, IA from Waterloo, IA?

The driving distance from Adel, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 131 miles (210.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
131.04 mi
02h 21m
Flight
105.17 mi
169.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Adel.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.17 mi
Kilometers
169.26 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.04 mi
Kilometers
210.89 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 6:51 AM CDT
Return by in Adel
Sat, Apr 18, 9:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Adel
2026-04-18T04:29
Arrive Waterloo
Sat, Apr 18, 6:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Adel
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Marshalltown
IA

City in Marshal County, Iowa

From Adel
65.5 mi
01h 10m
To Waterloo
65.6 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Adel and Waterloo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Adel and Waterloo.

  1. 1

    Start on Nile Kinnick Drive South

    5 m · 8 sec · Nile Kinnick Drive South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Greene Street

    1 km · 1 min · Greene Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 290th Street

    11.9 mi · 17 min · 290th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east

    1557 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 51 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    3105 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marsh Avenue

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 160th Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Sanford Avenue

    15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 240th Street

    6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on County Road T37

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37

  19. 19

    Turn sharp right onto 210th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue

  21. 21

    Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2388 ft · 58 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    18 mi · 21 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road

    3054 ft · 1 min

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    37 m · 6 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto Sergeant Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn straight

    1708 ft · 45 sec

  28. 28

    Turn right

    617 ft · 10 sec

  29. 29

    Continue on Washington Street

    1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto West 4th Street

    23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Adel and Waterloo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
31 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 27%
US 20 East
18.4 mi · 14%
I-35 north
16.5 mi · 13%
Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 12%
290th Street
11.9 mi · 9%
240th Street
6.28 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Northeast Hubbell Road

Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

35.2 mi · 00h 42m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.8 mi
105.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshalltown
01h 10m from Adel
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Adel and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Adel to Waterloo?

The road trip is about 131 miles (210.9 km) and usually takes 02h 21m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Marshalltown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.5 miles from Adel and 65.6 miles from Waterloo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.42 one way or $34.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Adel and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Adel and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 105.17 mi (169.26 km).

Adel

#1 Adel

City in Iowa

Population5,607
Coordinates41.6144300, -94.0174500
Altitude272
CountryUnited States
Waterloo

#2 Waterloo

The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Population67,292
Coordinates42.4927600, -92.3429600
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Nile Kinnick Drive South (-94.017484, 41.61443)
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.62 gal
17.5 L · about $17.42
Round trip
$34.84
9.24 gal · 35 L
Estimated CO2
41.1 kg one way
Round trip: 82.1 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.42 $34.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.65 $39.30
Premium $4.65 $21.50 $43.00
Diesel $5.30 $24.50 $49.01

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Adel and Waterloo. The current time is 04:29:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.