How far is Atlantic, IA from Waterloo, IA?
The driving distance from Atlantic, IA to Waterloo, IA is about 192.8 miles (310.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Atlantic and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic and Waterloo.
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1
Start on the route
69 m · 21 sec
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2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
81 m · 9 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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4
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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5
Take the exit right
62 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
35.2 mi · 42 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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11
Turn left onto Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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12
Continue on South Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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13
Continue on 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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14
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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16
Turn left onto M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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17
Continue on County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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18
Turn sharp right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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19
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2388 ft · 58 sec
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21
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Sergeant Road
3054 ft · 1 min
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23
Turn slight right
37 m · 6 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Sergeant Road
3.8 mi · 6 min · Sergeant Road
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25
Turn right onto University Avenue
118 m · 9 sec · University Avenue
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26
Turn straight
1708 ft · 45 sec
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27
Turn right
617 ft · 10 sec
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28
Continue on Washington Street
1175 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street
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29
Turn right onto West 4th Street
23 m · 2 sec · West 4th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlantic and Waterloo.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
650th Street
Take the exit right
62 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Atlantic and Mostly Cloudy near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atlantic to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 192.8 miles (310.3 km) and usually takes 03h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bondurant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.3 miles from Atlantic and 96.5 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.04 one way or $52.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Atlantic and Mostly Cloudy near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Bondurant
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bondurant.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atlantic and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 156.52 mi (251.89 km).
#1 Atlantic
City in Iowa
| Population | 6,513 |
| Coordinates | 41.4036000, -95.0138800 |
| Altitude | 369 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,292 |
| Coordinates | 42.4927600, -92.3429600 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 4th Street (-92.342752, 42.492625)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 310 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.82 | $26.04 | $52.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.17 | $28.42 | $56.85 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $32.12 | $64.25 |
| Diesel | $5.86 | $39.89 | $79.79 |
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 · Nov 11, 2026